University of Chile study finds low crime reporting in Metropolitan Region

A study conducted by the Center for Studies in Citizen Security (CESC) at the University of Chile has revealed that only 32.5% of crimes committed in the Metropolitan Region are officially reported. This finding, presented to authorities including the police (Carabineros and PDI) and the Public Prosecutor's Office, highlights a significant ‘dark figure’ of unreported crime.

The research identifies barriers to reporting, including issues with institutional trust and expectations regarding the capacity of authorities to respond to incidents. The study suggests that the decision to report a crime is influenced not only by the nature of the offense but also by how citizens perceive the effectiveness of institutional responses.