CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Controlling crime is one of the principal tasks of any government. Of course, for this to occur, crime must come to the attention ofthe criminal justice system. In this regard, a victim’s decision to report victimization to the police is crucial. Victim reports are the main source of information for the police (Bennett & Wiegand, 2004; Greenberg & Ruback, 2002; Mayhew, 2003) and are the basis for most of the subsequent actions of the justice system.

        The nature of crime is the form which any criminal activity that has the potential to cause significant physical, financial and material losses to victim takes. Thus, the impact of the nature of crime is probably best determined by the perceived seriousness or intensity of its effects in addition to the duration of its pains essentially from the victim’s own perspective. Almost always, the nature of a crime assumes a meaning only in the context of a manifestly subjective assessment by the victim of the consequences of his/her victimisation. In other words, the extent of victims’ losses determines the seriousness of crime. In Kenya, as it is everywhere else, crime is not a new phenomenon, its form, rhythm, technique and effects are prone to rapid changes. If McRae (2002) found in Getunga county, more than other parts of Kenya, that crime particularly armed robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, fraud, traffic offence, rape, murder and theft have become more serious to tackle as they have manifested with new methods and techniques, the new methods and techniques have the capacity to change the nature of crimes in Getunga county.

        It is almost impossible to predict exactly what effects an individual victim will suffer. People react very differently to similar offences and where one person may be seriously affected, another might experience only minor or short-term effects (Mayhew, 2003). Those who are more vulnerable (such as people who are poor, live in deprived areas or have other life stressors) and those who have been previously victimised are more likely to find a greater impact on them. The effects of a crime can be felt not only by the individual who the criminal justice system treats as the direct victim, but also by their family and those close to them. Crime against businesses is also not an effect-free area as both managers and staff is likely to be affected. The knowledge of victimisation and its shock can spread out through a neighbourhood creating a ‘ripple effect’.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Crime is a global phenomenon that needed to be completely eradicated. Another area that requires serious attention is the area of crime case reporting. There are so many issues surrounding crime case report. Some reporters might actually exaggerate the whole story to implicate the victim. So many lives have been lost and the trauma faced by the families of the victims is unbearable.

        Secondly the security department (police) will want to make the crime reported to be media friendly in order to attract accolades from the listeners thereby causing more harm to the victims.

Another problem associated with crime case reporting is the difficulties in assessing the crime scene; it could be bad road or lack of effective communication system to convey the information as regard the crime. Lastly, some researchers have actually did some research on crime case reporting but not even a single study have been carried out on crime case reporting impacts on victims in Getanga Subcounty. Hence a need for the study

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to examine crime case reporting impacts on victims in Getanga Subcounty. The objectives of the study are:

1. To determine the effect of crime case reporting on victims
2. To determine the challenges faced the Getanga Subcounty security department in reporting crimes
3. To examine the trauma the families of the victims in Getanga Subcounty go through
4. To investigate the actual level of crime as against reported crimes in Getanga Subcounty

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The following research questions guide the objectives of the study:

1.  What is the effect of crime case reporting on victims?
2. What are the challenges faced the Getanga Subcounty security department in reporting crimes?
3. What is the level of trauma the families of the victims in Getanga Subcounty go through?
4. How accurate is the actual level of crime as against reported crimes in Getanga Subcounty?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0: crime case reporting has no significant effect on victims

H1: crime case reporting has significant effect on victims

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on crime case reporting impacts on victims will be of immense benefit to the people in Getanga Subcounty. The findings of the study will look at the nature of crimes, causes of crimes and the effect of crime case reporting on the families of the victims. The findings of the study will help the security departments in Kenya how to tackle the challenges faced during crime case reporting and how to improve the security situation in Getanga Subcounty. The study will also help other African countries to know more about the impact of crime case reporting on victims. The study will also serve as a repository of information to other researchers that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic.  Finally the study will contribute to the body of the existing literature on crime case reporting impacts on victims.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study on crime case reporting impacts on victims will focus on Getanga Subcounty in Kenya. The study will cover on the nature of crimes, causes of crimes and the effect of crime case reporting on the families of the victims.

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

 1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Crime: an action or omission which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law.