Fraud Prevention Approaches in Australia

Juvenile Delinquency and Fraud in Australia

1: The Media's Portrayal of Young People and Juvenile Crime

Introduction and Focus

The media plays a pivotal role in shaping societal perceptions of crime, including those involving juveniles. The portrayal of young people in the context of crime can impact societal attitudes, legislative decisions, and even the self-identity of young individuals. This essay critically evaluates the depiction of young people and juvenile crime in the Australian media, questioning its accuracy and potential implications.

Application of Theory

Symbolic interactionism theory is a sociological perspective that focuses on the interpretation of social behaviour through symbols and meanings. It can be applied to understand how the media influences perceptions of juvenile crime and in doing so suggests that media narratives can create collective symbols associated with youth crime, shaping public opinion (Becker, 2010). In Australia, the media often frames young people involved in crime as 'deviant', 'violent' or 'out of control', exacerbating moral panics about youth (Cunneen, 2011). For example, in Melbourne, the so-called 'Apex gang', largely comprised of young people from South Sudanese backgrounds, was the subject of intense media scrutiny around 2015-2018. Despite Victoria Police stating that 'Apex' was more of a loosely affiliated social network rather than a structured criminal organisation, the media often portrayed them as a violent, organised gang. This representation stoked fears about ethnic youth crime and arguably contributed to racialised perceptions of crime in Victoria (Wahlquist, 2018).

Another example is the ABC's Four Corners program that aired footage in 2016 of young detainees in the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre in the Northern Territory being tear-gassed and physically abused. This exposure led to a royal commission into youth detention, but some of the media coverage leading up to the expose often depicted the detainees as dangerous and uncontrollable, contributing to moral panic about youth crime (Meldrum-Hanna & Worthington, 2016).

At the same time, popular media cult heroes like Chopper Read glorify gang activity and violence and celebrate delinquency, which serves to reinforce behaviours that are more likely to lead young people in Australia towards juvenile delinquency. Thus, on the one hand, the media depicts youths as out of control and shameful, and on the other hand it celebrates people who violate the law. Such portrayal contributes to the 'labelling theory', which posits that individuals can internalise the labels assigned to them by society, leading to further delinquency (Lemert, 1951). Labelling theory, first proposed by sociologist Howard Becker in the 1960s, posits that societal reaction to deviance plays a significant role in the continuation or escalation of deviant behaviour. Becker proposed that social groups create deviance by making and enforcing rules, and by labelling those who break these rules as 'outsiders' or 'deviants'.

In the context of youth crime, if young people are consistently labelled as 'criminals' or 'delinquents' by the media, they may start to internalise these labels, seeing themselves through the lens of societal judgement. According to labelling theory, this can lead to a 'self-fulfilling prophecy', where the individuals, believing these negative labels, may engage in further deviant behaviour, thus confirming the accuracy of the label. This process can also lead to a cycle of deviance where the labelled individuals continuously engage in the behaviour they are expected to exhibit.

Research / Use of Evidence

Empirical evidence supports the argument that media portrayals are often skewed and unrepresentative. A study conducted by Carrington, Hogg, and Sozzo (2016) found that the Australian media over-represents violent and serious youth crime despite statistics showing a decline in youth crime rates. This misrepresentation can increase fear and misunderstanding within the community, leading to harsher legislative responses towards young offenders.

Furthermore, research shows the media's tendency to racialise crime, disproportionately associating young Indigenous Australians with criminal behaviour, further entrenching stereotypes and bias (Cunneen & Tauri, 2016).

Clarity of Argument

In conclusion, the Australian media's portrayal of juvenile crime is problematic due to its overemphasis on violent youth crime, its racialised narratives, and its potential to contribute to a self-fulfilling prophecy of criminal behaviour among labelled youth. Such depictions perpetuate negative stereotypes, contribute to social divisions, and may impact policymaking. In the context of youth development, it should be self-evident that a pressing need exists for more balanced and accurate media portrayals that consider the complex socio-economic factors contributing to youth crime. The repeated portrayal of young people, particularly those from specific racial or socio-economic backgrounds, as criminals, can reinforce negative stereotypes. This practice needs to stop if youth are to receive positive reinforcements that can generate healthy, pro-social behaviours. The media plays an important part in the social, psychological, and emotional outcomes of youth and should be held accountable.

2: Psychological and Social Explanations for Fraud Prevention

Introduction and Focus

Psychological and social explanations provide the basis for more effective approaches to prevention of fraud by giving insight into the motivations behind acts of fraud. However, when it comes to addressing the question of whether the primary focus of prevention should be on educating consumers (the population) or on better forms of detection and prosecution, a dual-approach solution is probably the best. Understanding the psychological and social underpinnings of fraud can be instrumental in formulating more effective preventative strategies on both fronts. This essay explores these explanations but also weighs the merits of focusing on consumer education versus enhancing detection and prosecution efforts.

Application of Theory

The 'fraud triangle' theory, proposed by criminologist Donald Cressey (1953), suggests that three conditions typically converge when fraud occurs: pressure, opportunity, and rationalisation. Pressure might be due to financial stressors, such as excessive debts or a desire to maintain a lifestyle beyond one's means. Sometimes, personal vices like gambling or substance addiction can also act as catalysts. The opportunity component refers to circumstances where an individual has access to assets and believes their fraudulent activities will not be discovered. The last element, rationalisation, implies that fraudsters often create self-justifying excuses for their fraudulent behaviour.

Understanding these elements can inform effective fraud prevention strategies. Consumers can be educated about the pressures that commonly lead to fraudulent behaviour. This knowledge might make someone more vigilant against, for example, an investment opportunity that seems too good to be true. Organisations can also mitigate the opportunities for fraud by implementing robust internal controls, such as frequent audits and division of responsibilities. Furthermore, cultivating an ethical organisational culture can help to counteract the rationalisations that justify fraudulent actions.

On the other hand, the 'routine activities theory', put forth by Cohen and Felson (1979), posits that the likelihood of crime increases when three elements converge: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of capable guardians. The motivated offender refers to an individual willing to commit fraud, while a suitable target is a potential victim perceived as vulnerable or valuable by the offender. The absence of capable guardians signifies the lack of any person, measure, or system that could prevent the fraudulent act.

The application of this theory can also guide fraud prevention strategies. By educating consumers about common scams, the number of suitable targets can be reduced, as individuals become more capable of protecting themselves. The presence of capable guardians can be increased by improving technological security measures and enhancing the detection capabilities of financial institutions and law enforcement. Although it may be challenging to address motivated offenders directly, this can be achieved by improving detection and prosecution rates, thereby deterring potential fraudsters.

Research / Use of Evidence

Research suggests that both approaches have merit. For instance, consumer education can increase awareness of common fraud tactics, reducing individuals' susceptibility. A study by Modic and Lea (2013) found that increased knowledge of persuasion tactics reduced susceptibility to scams, supporting the potential effectiveness of consumer education.

On the other hand, improving detection and prosecution can serve as a deterrent for potential fraudsters. A report by the Australian Institute of Criminology (2011) revealed that the perceived risk of being caught and punished can deter potential offenders, thereby supporting enhanced detection and prosecution efforts.

However, it is also important to note that these approaches are not mutually exclusive. They can, and should, be implemented simultaneously for effective fraud prevention. Research by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2020) found that a combined approach, integrating consumer education with better detection and enforcement, resulted in a significant decrease in reported scams. Consumer education is a critical preventative measure because informing consumers about common types of fraud, the warning signs to watch for, and how to protect themselves decreases their vulnerability to scams.