# Reporting Crime Part of the Crime Prevention Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/crime-prevention/guide/index.md) > **6.** Discuss the following with your counselor: This requirement covers four critical topics about reporting crime and protecting yourself and others: - **When and how to report** a crime or an impending crime - **Warning signs** of child abuse and domestic violence - **The three R's** of personal safety and protection - **How reporting** helps law enforcement provide resources for victims ## Requirement 6a: Reporting Crimes One of the most powerful things you can do to prevent crime is simply to report it. Many crimes go unreported — the Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that more than half of all violent crimes and two-thirds of property crimes in the U.S. are never reported to police. Every unreported crime is a missed opportunity for justice and prevention. ### When to Call 911 Call 911 when there is an **immediate threat to life or property** — a crime is happening right now, or someone is in danger right now: - You witness a crime in progress (assault, robbery, break-in) - Someone is injured and needs emergency medical help - There's a fire or explosion - You see a suspicious person trying to enter a home or building - Someone is threatening violence ### When to Call the Non-Emergency Line Use your local police department's non-emergency number for situations that are not life-threatening but still need attention: - You discover your car was broken into overnight - You notice graffiti or vandalism - You want to report a suspicious pattern (a car circling the block repeatedly over several days) - You need to file a report about a past crime > **Be Prepared! Making a Good Report** > > When you report a crime or suspicious activity, clear information helps law enforcement respond effectively: > > - **What happened** — Describe what you saw or what occurred > - **Where** — Give the exact address or location, including landmarks > - **When** — Note the time it happened or when you noticed it > - **Who** — Describe any people involved (clothing, height, hair color, direction of travel) > - **Vehicles** — Note make, model, color, and license plate if possible > - **Your safety** — Stay on the line, stay in a safe location, and follow the dispatcher's instructions > **Tip** > > Save your local police department's non-emergency number in your phone. Many people don't call because they aren't sure whether a situation "counts" as an emergency. Having the non-emergency number ready removes that hesitation — if it's not a 911 situation, you can still report it. ## Requirement 6b: Recognizing Abuse These are difficult topics, but recognizing the warning signs can save someone's life. As a Scout, you are trained to help others — and sometimes that means speaking up when you notice that someone is being hurt. ### Signs of Child Abuse Child abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect. Warning signs include: - Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries — especially in patterns or on parts of the body usually covered by clothing - Flinching at sudden movements or avoiding physical contact - Wearing long sleeves or pants in hot weather to cover injuries - Sudden changes in behavior — becoming withdrawn, aggressive, or fearful - Frequent absences from school - Poor hygiene, malnutrition, or appearing consistently tired - Fear of going home or anxiety about a specific adult - Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge or behavior ### Signs of Domestic Violence Domestic violence affects families of every background. Signs that someone may be experiencing it include: - Unexplained injuries with unconvincing explanations ("I walked into a door") - A partner or family member who is extremely controlling — monitoring phone calls, controlling finances, isolating the person from friends - Visible fear of a partner or family member - Withdrawal from friends, activities, or social situations - Sudden personality changes — loss of confidence, constant anxiety ### How to Report If you suspect child abuse or domestic violence: - **Tell a trusted adult** — a parent, teacher, school counselor, coach, or Scout leader - **Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453** (available 24/7) - **Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233** (or text START to 88788) - **Report to local child protective services** — every state has a reporting system > **Safety First!** > > You are not expected to investigate or confront anyone. If you see signs that concern you, report them to a trusted adult or call a hotline. Trained professionals will take it from there. Reporting isn't "tattling" — it could be the most important thing you ever do for someone who can't protect themselves. ## Requirement 6c: Personal Safety Framework The three R's provide a simple framework for protecting yourself in any dangerous situation: ### Recognize Learn to identify potentially dangerous situations before they escalate. This means: - Trusting your instincts — if something feels wrong, it probably is - Being aware of your surroundings, especially in unfamiliar places - Knowing the warning signs of predatory behavior (excessive friendliness from strangers, attempts to isolate you, offering gifts or special attention) - Understanding that danger can come from people you know, not just strangers ### Resist Take action to protect yourself: - Say "No" firmly and loudly if someone tries to touch you inappropriately or pressure you into something unsafe - Remove yourself from the situation — leave, walk away, go to a public place - Use the buddy system — travel with friends, especially at night - Create distance between yourself and the threat - Make noise — yell, scream, attract attention if you're in danger ### Report Tell someone what happened: - Tell a trusted adult immediately — a parent, teacher, counselor, or Scout leader - Call 911 if you're in immediate danger - Don't keep secrets about abuse or threats — the person who is hurting or threatening you is the one doing something wrong, not you - Follow up — if the first adult you tell doesn't take action, tell another one > **Did You Know?** > > The three R's framework was developed because research showed that most crimes against young people are committed by someone they already know — a family member, coach, teacher, or older peer — not by strangers. Recognizing that trusted people can also be dangerous is one of the hardest but most important safety lessons. ## Requirement 6d: Supporting Crime Victims When a crime is reported, it does more than start an investigation. It opens the door to support services for victims: - **Victim advocates** — Many police departments and prosecutors' offices have victim advocates who help people navigate the justice system, find safe housing, and access counseling - **Victim compensation funds** — Most states have programs that help crime victims pay for medical care, counseling, and lost wages - **Protective orders** — Courts can issue orders that keep offenders away from their victims - **Community resources** — Reports connect victims to shelters, food assistance, legal aid, and support groups - **Crime data** — Every report contributes to data that helps law enforcement allocate resources and identify crime patterns When crimes go unreported, victims miss out on these resources. And communities miss the data they need to prevent future crimes. [Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline](https://www.childhelp.org/hotline/): 24/7 crisis line (1-800-422-4453) offering help for children and adults dealing with child abuse. ![A teenager using a smartphone to call for help while standing in a safe, well-lit public area near other people](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/crime-prevention/guide/reporting-crime-safely?v=8b4dca99) --- - Previous: [Retail Crime Prevention](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/crime-prevention/guide/req5/index.md) - Next: [Peers and Crime](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/crime-prevention/guide/req7/index.md)