Social Harm Definition

Crime is a complex and evolving concept. To what extent can it be explored by focussing on social harm? This essay aims to explore and critically evaluate some of the ways ‘crime’, in both its lawful definition and commonly interpreted definition can be broadened, from context-specific behaviours and explore how social harm may be a useful concept in understanding ‘beyond the border’ of crime (Open University, 2010).
Social harm is a ‘disciplinary approach organised around the concept of harm’ (Open University, 2010). This approach encompasses ‘physical harms’ inclusive of ‘premature death’ or ‘ serious injury’, ‘financial and economic harm’, ‘emotional and psychological harm’, ‘ sexual harm’ and ‘cultural safety’ (Open University, 2010). The primary ideology of social harm is to show that the standard notion of harm does not fully include the harms that organisations cause globally. The social harm concept is trying to understand the harms that occur within society. It examines the harm that occurs in society and also attempts to understand the sorts of behaviours that cause the greatest level of harm. The way that those harms are both perpetrated, how these
In western societies, a typical definition of ‘crime’ is ‘doing something forbidden by law’ (home office, 2007). The limitation of this definition is reliance on the knowledge a crime has been or is being committed and being able to obtain substantial enough evidence to hold a person accountable for their actions. ‘Invisible crimes’ such as ‘abuse, slavery and trafficking’ are overlooked as a focus on ‘street crime’ such as the ‘war on drugs’ is spotlighted (Open University, 2010). It is this stereotypical ‘street crime’ that carries the brunt of attention in both a historical criminological perspective and a general public view on criminality (Open University,