Bring Back Shame

The decline of shame as a social force has coincided with rising crime rates and societal decay. Historically, shame was a powerful mechanism reinforcing social order and moral standards. Today, however, we are quick to dismiss shame as outdated, cruel, or psychologically harmful. Yet, removing the discomfort associated with antisocial behaviour merely encourages more of it.

Shame, at its core, is accountability in its most immediate form. It arises naturally from exposure, when wrongdoing becomes public, the individual is confronted by their community. Criminals fear public condemnation precisely because reputation matters. The desire for social acceptance influences nearly every aspect of human behaviour. Psychology has long confirmed that most people avoid behaviours that bring embarrassment or disgrace. When society refuses to shame harmful acts publicly, it effectively normalises them, weakening community standards and emboldening further misconduct.

Criminal behaviour persists because it is quietly tolerated rather than openly confronted. When judges seal records, police withhold identities, and the media hesitates to name offenders, the community loses a vital defence mechanism against crime. Public accountability is not merely punitive; it serves as a deterrent by reinforcing collective moral standards and communicating clearly what society will and will not accept.

Statistics consistently demonstrate the effectiveness of visible, immediate consequences in reducing crime. Communities that actively and openly denounce wrongdoing experience fewer repeated offenses, while those that shield offenders from scrutiny tend to suffer higher crime rates. Offenders, particularly repeat ones, interpret anonymity and sympathy as permission to continue their criminal activities. Conversely, the discomfort of public exposure prompts genuine remorse and change.

Opponents of shaming argue that it stigmatizes individuals, damaging their future prospects. But crime itself causes far greater harm, and cost, not only to victims but to the very fabric of society. The absence of shame creates a culture where morality is relativized, and criminality is rationalised. Shame, when proportionate and justified, protects the innocent, promotes moral responsibility, and prevents further harm.

This principle applies especially to crimes of dishonesty and violence, behaviours often rationalized or minimised by misguided compassion or ideology. Removing stigma from theft, fraud, or assault inevitably leads to more theft, fraud, and assault. Public shaming serves as a corrective, a visible signal that certain actions cross a boundary of acceptability. It enforces an implicit but powerful social contract that defines a community’s moral boundaries.

From an operational security standpoint, deterrence through public accountability is profoundly effective. Criminals fear exposure as much as or more than traditional forms of punishment. Shame adds a psychological dimension that heightens deterrence. People may risk jail time, but few willingly endure public humiliation. Reinstituting shame as a social sanction aligns community interest with justice, enhancing public safety without relying solely on costly incarceration or prolonged legal proceedings.

Shame works because it addresses the fundamental human desire for respect and acceptance. Bringing back shame as a consequence for wrongdoing is neither cruel nor archaic, it is a rational, proven strategy to reduce crime and strengthen social cohesion.

A society unwilling to shame harmful behaviour openly will soon find itself overwhelmed by it, paying the price in violence, disorder, and lost human potential. From the author.

The opinions and statements are those of Sam Wilks and do not necessarily represent whom Sam Consults or contracts to. Sam Wilks is a skilled and experienced Security and Risk Consultant with 3 decades of expertise in the fields of Real estate, Security, and the hospitality/gaming industry. Sam has trained over 1,000 entry level security personnel, taught defensive tactics, weapons training and handcuffs to policing personnel and the public. His knowledge and practical experience have made him a valuable asset to many organisations looking to enhance their security measures and provide a safe and secure environment for their clients and staff.