Sociology: Themes and perspectives between smoking and cancer affects an inestimable number of individuals (Chapman 1997). Many crimes of the powerful violate public trust. When a major business collapses, such as occurred with the tell One.Tel in 2001, it is not just that thou- sands of innocent victims lose their money but also that there is a demoralising effect on public confidence in both business corporations and the regulatory powers of government. Directors such as Alan Bond and Christopher Skase, who were illegally using corporate funds for their own benefit, violate the trust of the shareholders who invest in the company. Misrepresentation in advertising leads to widespread cynicism about the values of our business leaders. Far from being victimless, the crimes of the powerful are certainly as destructive as traditional crime. They appear victimless only because the relationship between the well-off offender and the victim is an indirect one, giving white-collar crimes an insidious quality which can be more dangerous than the violence we associate with traditional crimes. Moreover, while the reprehensible morality of the perpetrator may be obvious, especially to the victim, the illegality may not be and the corporation may successfully defend itself against prosecution. TV/Radio PVR BACK