Justice Sector Urged to Change Public Perceptions About Crime

Rethinking Crime and Punishment is urging the Justice Sector to accelerate its plans to mount a public crime information service, given the huge gap between what people believe to be true about crime, and the reality.

Commenting the Ministry of Justice’s Public Perceptions of Crime report released this week, Rethinking’s spokesperson was critical of the knowledge gap.  “Growing numbers of the public are using Rethinking Crime and Punishment as the ‘first port of call’ for information on crime and justice issues, rather than the Ministry of Justice, or Corrections”, said Mr Workman.  “Rethinking is a charitable trust, primarily staffed by volunteers, and we don’t have the capacity to respond, or in some cases, access to the level of information required.   When over half the population think that crime is on the rise, in the face of 33 year low, then it is clear that the Justice Sector needs to do better”.   

“Justice Secretary Andrew Bridgman hit the nail on the head when he said that people are living unnecessarily in fear , and that the media focuses on the emotional and spectacular elements of crime, without providing a more balanced and informed picture.  By way of contrast, Nordic countries adopt a restrained and factual approach to reporting crime; devoid of uncontrolled and emotional outbursts, ‘naming and shaming’ campaigns, or uninformed criticism of judicial decisions around bail or sentencing.   A media which focuses on generating unnecessary fear, rather than rational deliberation and intelligent commentary, influences the conduct of everyday life, undermines trust in the justice system, and affects the level of social cohesion in society.“  

“The public also have to contend with groups like the Sensible Sentencing Trust, which insists that crime is rising in the face of evidence to the contrary.”

“A Justice sector which avoids its own media spin, and has a proactive media information strategy, could make a difference.   The survey showed that poorer people with low educational qualifications, were the least informed.  It is essential that the campaign reaches out to those people through a community engagement strategy for marginalised communities.” 

Reference:  http://www.rethinking.org.nz/Default.aspx?page=3615

Kim Workman

Spokesperson

Rethinking Crime and Punishment

ENDS

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