Doing Justice to Cybercrime Victims: Reflections on the Role of the Police

• In Event: Framing Victimization in a Digital Age

Abstract

Rising cybercrime rates present challenges for the police, often resulting in limited investment in cybercrime cases. These challenges can also impact the police-victim relationship. The anonymity and technical complexity of cybercrime may create distinct victim needs that traditional policing is not well-equipped to address. However, victim needs and reporting experiences in cybercrime cases, and how they compare to those in traditional crime, remain understudied.

This contribution presents the results of a survey study analysing the responses of 910 victims of cybercrime and traditional crime who reported to the police. Participants were asked about their needs and reporting experiences The crimes examined included financial crimes (bank account hacking, bank helpdesk fraud, burglary, and doorstep deception) and person-centred crimes (online threats, image-based sexual abuse, offline threats, and sexual assault).

The findings show that victims of cyber-financial crime express stronger practical/information needs and emotional/social needs than their traditional counterparts. Conversely, victims of traditional person-centred crimes express stronger emotional/social needs. Reporting experiences were similar among cyber and traditional financial crime victims. However, victims of person-centred traditional crime were more satisfied with the information they received. Victim needs were most strongly influenced by age, gender, financial loss, and peri-traumatic stress related to the crime.

These findings underscore the need for law enforcement to enhance procedural justice and victim support in cybercrime cases. Despite expressing stronger needs, victims of cyber-financial crime often receive less support. Practical assistance, empathetic engagement, and avoiding secondary victimization or victim-blaming are crucial. The study also highlights the importance of personalized contact, as victims who reported in person were more satisfied than those who reported online. A response that adequately addresses the needs of cybercrime victims can strengthen police legitimacy and encourage future reporting.

Authors

• Jildau Borwell, Open University / The Hague University of Applied Sciences

• Jurjen Jansen, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

• Wouter Stol, Open University; Dutch Police