Explain why a victim may sometimes choose not to file a complaint despite being a victim of a crime?

Fear of reprisals or intimidation

When a victim considers filing a complaint, they often think about the consequences. Sometimes, the perpetrator is within their circle, in their neighborhood, or even at their workplace. The victim may then seriously fear threats, assaults, or other acts of revenge in retaliation for reporting the incident. They feel vulnerable, especially if the perpetrator is more powerful or influential than they are. This fear can be amplified when the police or their surroundings do not guarantee their safety or do not rely on them to provide effective protection. A concrete consequence is that they sometimes prefer to say nothing to avoid the risk of retaliation that could be even worse than what they have already endured.

Distrust in justice or lack of institutional confidence

Some victims refrain from filing a complaint simply because they do not really trust the justice system. They sometimes think that the process will be too long, complicated, or even pointless. The impression that the system favors the strongest or the privileged often adds to this feeling. When we hear about judgments that drag on, about culprits not being sufficiently punished, or about cases being mishandled, it's hard to take the plunge. This mistrust is also fueled by past bad experiences or negative testimonials circulating around us. In short, when we think that institutions are not there to protect us or to deliver true justice, it is understandable that we hesitate to take the step.

Fear of reliving or amplifying the trauma experienced

Filing a complaint often involves recounting the facts again, sometimes multiple times in front of different people. For many victims, the mere thought of mentally reliving the traumatic event generates intense anxiety. They sometimes prefer to avoid this challenging process, where painful memories and strong emotions of fear, shame, or sadness resurface, feelings they have no desire to experience again. Repeating the details in front of strangers, enduring interrogations or confrontations can feel like being plunged back into the initial torment rather than moving forward. Some therefore decide to completely forgo filing a complaint in order to preserve their mental and emotional well-being.

Social pressures and influence of family or cultural context

Sometimes, those close to the victim inadvertently put pressure on them: they advise them to let it go, not to "make a fuss," or to preserve the family's or community's reputation. In certain environments or cultural groups, filing a complaint is seen as a form of betrayal or personal failure that could undermine the cohesion of the entire group. As a result, the victim finds themselves caught between the legitimate desire for justice and the need to comply with what their family or group expects of them. It’s a dilemma that can be incredibly heavy to manage, especially when one is already weakened by the offense suffered.

Feeling of guilt or doubt about the legitimacy of one's complaint

Many victims hesitate because they sometimes feel partially responsible for what happened to them, even though that is clearly not the case. They may doubt: "Did I provoke this?", "Maybe I should have reacted differently...". This kind of unjustified guilt creates a significant barrier: the victim ends up thinking that their complaint is not legitimate, that they are exaggerating, or that they will be blamed in return. This fear of being questioned or judged often leads the victim to remain silent rather than report the facts. Furthermore, if the facts are perceived as "less serious" by society, victims may feel like they are making a fuss over nothing and therefore prefer to avoid filing a complaint, even if their suffering is real.