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Do I have to report this crime? I've been wronged. Is it illegal or immoral?
12/12/2008 - By Marilyn Barnicke Belleghem M.Ed.
Crime is a large part of the news we read and hear about every day. Hopefully we can go through our days and nights without being cast as a criminal or being the victim of one.
Witnessing a crime, hearing about one after the fact or knowing who the criminal is can present a personal dilemma. Once we become part of the legal process our loss of personal power can be frightening. Some of our fears of becoming involved with the law include; • How much time will this take? • Will I have to miss work? • Is there a chance the criminal can come after me? • Can I be charged if I don't report this? • How much will this cost me? The fear of incurring legal fees, loss of wages due to court appearances and becoming involved in the legal process are minor compared to the fear that the accused could retaliate. It is common within the criminal element that the expected behaviour is to claim that you heard nothing, saw nothing and know nothing. It may seem safer to turn the other way and not get involved telling ourselves this is none of my business. Not wanting to become involved in other people's business creates a stance of isolation and the loss of community. It also provides privacy. There's a sense of personal responsibility but not social responsibility. This is very common in large cities and especially in crowded locations. We each put a barrier around ourselves to create an intimate space where we can think our own thoughts and go about our own business. When living conditions involve overhearing what happens in our neighbours' homes and seeing through their windows, we are often privy to more information then we want to know. This involvement in other people's lives can also happen on the street, in a mall, a restaurant or even while riding the bus or driving in our car. Sometimes the question becomes; "Is what I hear and see really a crime being committed?" Calling 911 is meant for serious emergencies requiring the assistance of police, paramedics and firefighters. It is not meant to be used lightly for minor disputes and trivial matters. The cost of a 911 call when all three emergency personnel are dispatched is enormous. Frivolous calls can take these vital service providers away from more legitimate calls. In some areas the person calling 911 can be charged to pay for the dispatching of these expensive services. In other areas when the police are called it is their mandate to charge someone. This is not commonly known and many charges result from 911 calls that in fact we're not matters of life and death. There's a great deal of behaviour that surrounds us every day that is immoral but not illegal. Deciding to report something when we personally are the victim of a crime can be even more frightening than being a witness. In many situations where a person has been victimized, the fear of the ordeal within the legal system and the public exposure can be too much to face. Questions to be considered include; • Did my choices contribute to the crime that was committed? • What will the criminal do to me once they know I've reported this? • How will this impact my personal and professional relationships? • Will I experience a further loss of control as the legal system becomes involved? • How will this change the way people relate to me in the future? Deciding to report a crime whether it is one that we witness or one that is committed against us is our choice. There are those that say we are morally bound to not only uphold the law but to assist the law enforcement agencies in keeping society safe. When we have been victimized, not reporting the crime allows the criminal to feel that they have the freedom to repeat the crime. Reporting a crime takes courage. Oftentimes someone in the decision-making process considers; • Will I be bullied by the police? • Will I be believed? • Will I be embarrassed? • Will I be able to maintain emotional self control? • Will I be sorry I did this after it is done? Each individual must decide their own level of social responsibility, how involved in other people's business they want to become and to what level they will stick up for their own sense of being wronged. There is no single right answer. There is an answer that is right for each individual in the situation they experience. Making that choice can be difficult.
Marilyn Barnicke Belleghem M.Ed., is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist and a clinical member of The Canadian Registry for Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a consultant to families in business on inter personal relationships. She is also the author of books on personal growth through travel.
