Institutional trust and the black figure of crime

Abstract

This article discusses the dark figure of crime in Colombia based on the confidence that victims of thefts have in their institutions and the characterization of the social, demographic and crime-specific conditions. Using data from the 2019 Citizen Security and Coexistence Survey, we analyzed, based on a model with correction for selection bias, the probability of being a victim of theft and not reporting (N=4.362). Our variables were informed by the theory of rational choice, the psychological paradigm, the institutional model and the theory of social stratification. The results show that the dark crime figure is 77% in the country, based on institutional mistrust, mainly in the Police, and being a black woman, married and with a secondary education. In short, strengthening access to and application of the law configures a strategy for its reduction.