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

The term "dark figure of crime" refers to crimes that are unreported and do not appear in official crime statistics. This concept highlights the gap between actual crime occurrences and those recorded by authorities. Many crimes go unreported for various reasons, such as fear of retribution, distrust in the police, or personal circumstances that prevent victims from coming forward. As a result, the dark figure of crime underscores the limitations of official statistics, which can only capture what is reported and documented. Understanding this term is crucial for sociologists and criminologists when assessing the true extent of criminal activity within a society. This gap in reporting can significantly impact the analysis and interpretation of crime trends.