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dc.titleCrime Underreporting in Latin America and the Caribbean
dc.contributor.authorPerez-Vincent, Santiago M.
dc.contributor.authorAbril, Verónica
dc.contributor.authorChen, Cynthia
dc.contributor.authorTayo, Teniola
dc.contributor.authorUrrego Jimenez, Andres
dc.contributor.orgunitInnovation in Citizen Services Division
dc.coverageLatin America and the Caribbean
dc.date.available2024-10-23T00:10:00
dc.date.issue2024-10-23T00:10:00
dc.description.abstractCrime underreporting poses a significant challenge for governments and law enforcement agencies. This study examines the extent, characteristics, and drivers of crime underreporting and provides evidence-based policy recommendations to address it. Using information from victimization surveys from 10 Latin American and Caribbean countries, the analysis reveals widespread crime underreporting, with an average of approximately three out of four crimes not reported in the countries examined. Low and heterogenous reporting rates point to potential biases in official crime statistics, with certain crimes and victim groups over- and underrepresented. A comprehensive literature review yields a menu of evidence-backed interventions, including remote reporting methods, public information campaigns, diversifying police forces, and reducing deportation risk. Beyond these policies, strengthening data collection through better and more frequent victimization surveys and alternative data collection methods, and addressing fundamental challenges such as the integrity and efficacy of law enforcement institutions appear critical to achieve long-term improvements in crime reporting and, ultimately, support effective crime responses.
dc.format.extent106
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0013215
dc.identifier.urlhttps://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/Crime-Underreporting-in-Latin-America-and-the-Caribbean.pdf
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherInter-American Development Bank
dc.subjectCrime Rate
dc.subjectDebtor Finance
dc.subjectVictim of Violence
dc.subjectCrime Prevention
dc.subjectPolice Force
dc.subjectCrime and Violence
dc.subjectLaw Enforcement
dc.subjectRating
dc.subjectCriminal Activity
dc.subjectPopulation Aging
dc.subjectTrust
dc.subject.jelcodeK14 - Criminal Law
dc.subject.jelcodeK42 - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
dc.subject.jelcodeO54 - Latin America • Caribbean
dc.subject.jelcodeO57 - Comparative Studies of Countries
dc.subject.keywordscrime underreporting;Latin America and the Caribbean;policy recommendations;victimization surveys
idb.identifier.pubnumberIDB-MG-01219
idb.operationRG-E1840
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