Crime as a Social Phenomenon: A Criminological Analysis of Social Factors and Crime Prevention Strategies in Indonesia

Abstract

Crime cannot be understood merely as a violation of criminal law norms but also as a social phenomenon that emerges, develops, and transforms alongside changes in society. Changes in social structures, economic inequality, social disorganization, weak social control, peer influence, technological development, and social labeling may contribute to criminal behavior. This article aims to examine crime from a social perspective and analyze social factors contributing to criminal behavior as well as crime prevention strategies in Indonesia. This research employs normative juridical methods using conceptual, statutory, and criminological approaches through library research. The findings indicate that crime is a multidimensional phenomenon that cannot be effectively addressed solely through repressive measures. A sociological perspective demonstrates that social environments, unequal opportunities, weak social integration, and ineffective social control mechanisms may create conditions conducive to criminal behavior. Therefore, crime prevention policies should integrate penal and non-penal approaches through strengthening families, education, economic empowerment, community development, public trust in legal institutions, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of offenders. Crime control policies that focus exclusively on punishment risk failing to address the underlying social roots of criminality.