What does the term "dark figure of crime" refer to?

The term "dark figure of crime" specifically refers to the amount of unreported crime that is not captured by official statistics. This concept highlights the significant gap between the actual occurrence of crime and the data presented in crime reports or statistics. Many crimes go unreported for various reasons, such as victims' fear of retaliation, embarrassment, or lack of trust in law enforcement. As a result, the statistics provided by law enforcement agencies or national databases often do not reflect the true extent of criminal activity, making it essential to recognize this unseen portion of crime when analyzing crime trends and developing policies for crime reduction. Understanding the dark figure of crime helps researchers and policymakers better address issues related to law enforcement and public safety.