What is one factor contributing to the underreporting of sex offenses?

The choice highlighting shame or guilt is crucial in understanding the dynamics of underreporting sex offenses. Victims may feel a profound sense of shame or guilt related to the incident, which can stem from societal stigma, personal feelings of embarrassment, or self-blame. This emotional burden often makes individuals hesitant to come forward and report the crime, leading to significant underreporting statistics within sexual assault cases.

Victims may fear that they will not be believed or that they will face judgment or ridicule from others, compounding their reluctance to disclose their experiences. This psychological impact is a significant barrier to reporting, as it interferes with the victims’ freedom to seek justice or access support services.

In this context, while the other options might seem plausible, they do not align as closely with the pervasive emotional and psychological factors that hinder reporting, making the feeling of shame or guilt a more prevalent and impactful reason.