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...…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.

Additionally, enhancing detection measures and enforcement mechanisms can deter potential fraudsters by increasing the likelihood of their fraudulent activities being discovered and punished. These measures can involve a range of strategies. For example, financial institutions might use advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to identify unusual transaction patterns indicative of fraud. Law enforcement agencies may employ specialised investigative units and work closely with international counterparts to tackle cross-border fraud.

Clarity of Argument

In conclusion, psychological and social theories provide critical insights into the nature of fraud, informing the development of more effective prevention strategies. While educating consumers and enhancing detection and prosecution…