Embarrassment, shame and fear of reprisals are some of the reasons thousands of Tasmanian crimes go unreported each year, lawyer Susan Fahey says.
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“Women will often not report assaults as violence against women is predominantly perpetrated by a current or past intimate partner in the home setting,” Ms Fahey said, following a report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics which estimated 45 per cent of Tasmanian assaults were not reported to police in 2016-17.
“They fear that if they report there will be repercussions such as a violent retribution or, if the relationship is ongoing, a breakdown of that relationship.
“Fear, stigma and shame all play an integral part in why women do not report.”
Ms Fahey, of the Women’s Legal Service Tasmania, said violence against men was generally perpetrated by another man or men, generally unknown to the victim, and often in a public place.
She said men often did not report due to the shame of having been assaulted, fear of being judged for reporting or for not having defended themselves, and the stigma of being a victim.
“As a society, we have long told our boys that they shouldn't cry, that they need to man up and that they shouldn't dob,” she said.
“All of this is a significant deterrent to men reporting assaults against them.”
The ABS also found large proportions of crimes including threats of assault, household break-ins and thefts from cars were not reported.
“Likewise, crimes like break-ins, theft and damage to property are often not reported for a number of reasons, including the property owner knowing the perpetrator, fear of reprisals, embarrassment and the perception around some crimes that the police wouldn't be able to do anything,” Ms Fahey said.
“We always encourage people to report all criminal activity impacting them to the police.
“Even where the police may not ultimately be able to find the perpetrator, it allows them to collect intelligence, identify suspects and track any trends in crimes or offences that might be happening.”
She said that allowed police to better focus their activities and efforts.
She said reporting was also a key factor in public safety because it could lead to apprehension and conviction of offenders, lessening the chances of them harming another person or property.
”In this respect, assault is never trivial and should always be reported,” Ms Fahey said.
“Many perpetrators start small and their offending becomes increasingly violent.
“We see this in family violence where there may be lower level assaults to begin which can progress to acts such as strangling, which is, in fact, a key risk indicator of a potential future homicide.
“Assaults, no matter who perpetrates them, no matter how trivial someone might wish to write them off as, are indicators of far worse that may come.
“They should be reported and we encourage everyone to talk to police if someone has assaulted them.”