The Trajectory, Prevalence and Consequences of Serious Crimes in Addis Ababa: An Exploratory Descriptive Study

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Date

2018-06

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Publisher

Addis Ababa University

Abstract

Crimes are not accepted and criminals are condemned in all societies. Penalties are arise from all legal systems, albeit, the magnitude, pervasiveness and consequences thereof are extensive globally in general and in Ethiopia in particular. This study aims at investigating how serious crimes‘ are ongoing, their prevalence and the consequence in the study area of Addis Ababa. The study‘s target populations consisted of Addis Ababa Police Commission, Courts and the Attorney General. Relevant to this thesis secondary data were acquired from these organs archives and questionnaires were also distributed to their respective employees and also discussions were made with these organs staffs. From the study, it was principally proven that socioeconomic problems are root causes for crimes including poverty, unemployment, the prevalence of abusive and drug substances, psychological disorders and others. In addition, the study revealed that serious crimes remain as challenging in the study area including fraud, robbery, aggravated theft and homicide. The study further found that certain members of society like females and children are directly affected by crimes. The perpetrators are largely male, bachelor or single, with limited education; young and early adults. On the other hand, the impact of serious crime goes far beyond affecting people and property to the highest level that perturbing the socio-economic fabric of the study area including the wellbeing and security of the dwellers and business transaction. Those bodies which are expected to encounter serious crimes having faced diverse challenge in preventing serious crimes. The study further found that the existing criminal justice policy is not addressing all serious crimes sufficiently and exhaustively as it should and stockholders are not coordinated and well-organized in regards to serious crimes. As well to fight serious crimes, institutional bottlenecks can be taken as impediments viz. lack of capacity, logistics, and infrastructures lack of coordination, communication, and commitment among stakeholders. The study found that crime prevention mechanisms like awareness creation are key in responding to crimes. The study concludes with recommendation grave crimes prescribed in the thesis. Those stockholders who involve in crime control and curbing institution should work together to reduce and ultimately eliminate serious crimes.

Description

A thesis submitted to the Department of Public Administration and Development Management of Addis Ababa University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Public Management and Policy (MPMP)

Keywords

Consequence, Exploratory study, Prevalence

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