2.5. Misusing Statistics 
SHANELL SANCHEZ 
 
Genocide: Misuse of Statistics Exercise 
The misuse of statistics promotes crime myths and generates fear of crime. There are various ways that we 
can misuse statistics, such as limiting public access to critical information, intending to mislead the public by 
presenting false information, or using deceptive formats to present information. 
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Exercise: Find a news article that demonstrates an apparent misuse of statistics for a crime OR an article that 
demonstrates that people are trying to get release accurate and reliable information about a crime. Specifically, 
discuss how it is a misuse of statistics or not and why that particular article was picked in 500 words. 
For example, the article I found is about the genocide in Myanmar. The article is titled, “What is happening in 
Myanmar is genocide. Call it by its name” in the Washington Post. For a long time, no one referred to this crime 
as a genocide, and there were deliberate attempts by the government in Myanmar and the world to not refer to 
it as genocide. Despite visual evidence that a genocide was occurring, the government tried to deny it. The news 
said, “NO MORE. Call it what it is.” 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/what-is-happening-in-myanmar-is-genocide-
call-it-by-its-name/2018/08/29/611a1090-aafe-11e8-a8d7-0f63ab8b1370_story.html?utm_term=.9e76f629a8b3 
 
1. Kappler, V., & Potter, G. 2018. The Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice (5th ed.). Waveland Press, Inc: Long Grove. 
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