Which term denotes understanding and knowledge of crime in society?

• A. Decriminalisation
• B. Ripple effect
• C. Public Awareness
• D. Cultural change

Answer: (C)

Understanding and knowledge of crime in society is captured by public awareness. This term focuses on how informed the general public is about crime levels, risks, prevention, and the functioning of the criminal justice system. It encompasses what people know through media reports, education, and public information campaigns, and how these perceptions shape attitudes toward crime and policy. Public awareness is measured by surveys and studies that assess people’s knowledge and beliefs about crime, rather than the actions of law or shifts in norms.

Decriminalisation is about changing the legal penalties for acts; ripple effect describes indirect consequences spreading through society; cultural change refers to broader shifts in norms and values. None of these specifically targets people’s knowledge or understanding of crime in society, making public awareness the best fit.