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Originally Posted by KSigkid
In CT, it's possible to be charged with a misdemeanor for refusing to help the police in an investigation. My guess is that there are a number of states with similar laws.
The problem I could see is that there are a lot of reasons why people don't act to help in cases like this. Sometimes they're afraid of retaliation, for example. There are also cases where victims have sued the good samaritans, or where a good samaritan becomes a person of interest for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I'm not saying that's the case here, and it's obviously a terrible situation for the girl involved. You would think at least one of the witnesses could have done something, even as simple as getting an administrator (as people have suggested). I think it gets tough, however, when you start trying to attach criminal penalties for people who don't help.
ETA: That's without getting into all the legal issues, and coming at it from a strict practical perspective.
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One report raised the idea of the Genovese Syndrome as part of a possible reason why no one acted.
I don't buy it 100% as it's not a proven theory.
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Last edited by DaemonSeid; 10-28-2009 at 04:34 PM.
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