if I have been informed of a serious crime by the victim is it right to report it against the victims wishes?

Answer 1

not only is it morally right, if you don't you are violating the law, you are also a party to the crime - you become an accessory, even to harboring a criminal

Answer 2

You say if, this sounds as if it hasn't actually happened but is a discussion point. There are so many factors that would need to be taken into account, loyalty to friend, breaking a promise etc etc. However, serious crime is serious crime, if it is a sexual crime the effect on the victim can be catastrophic for years to come and can ruin the rest of a person's life. They need help and the only way for them to get this is for the matter to be reported. Any crime committed against a person can result in trauma, why should people get away with hurting and destroying other people's lives and property. I would report it, because if the person confides in you they may be wanting you to do just that and don't have the courage to do it themselves, it could well be a relief to them, they can always refuse to take the matter further. In the case of sexual crimes you would also be protecting other people from being molested, sexual predators do not usually stop at one victim.

Answer 3

I feel that if it is a serious crime it should be reported. If it's rape, killing, or even the victim being molested, then not telling could lead to more problems for the victim later on.Or whoever did the crime will think HE / SHE can get away with it again.

Answer 4

You can report it until the cows come home. The prosecuting attorney has no case without the victims testimony. Why don't you encourage, support, suggest counseling and offer to protect the said victim before you step on her toes and create mental chaos for her.

Most women whom are rapped and/or beaten don't report it. Give her space and time.

I could be way off base with the woman thing. I am just using that because most women (victims) don't report the abuse.

Good Luck and Take Care

Answer 5

Your question is very general. In principle the answer is easy: Yes, report it!

But I agree with those answers that say that in most circumstances you should value your friends wishes. Many crimes are never solved. Sex offences, especially rape, hardly ever lead to a conviction due to the lack of evidence. If there is a group of friends or family involved, who would be offended by the reporting of the crime and the following investigation, it could make your friends live hell. I don't know how stable he/she is and what type of crime was committed, but if your friend is then being attacked or attempts suicide, you will probably never forgive yourself. Perhaps you could talk about how you can help to ease the situation. Being a good friend & listener will probably already go a very long way. :)

Good luck!

Answer 6

Hi!
1- "Crime" is and an "act" or an "action" against the "public" and the "public interest".

2- To "Defend" "Our" "Society" is the "Duty" of "Each" and "Every" "Resident". Part of Defense from the Society, is fight with crime.
Public, appointed Government, and Government appoint Police to fight with the crime. However, everyone must help to Police by "Honest Information".

3- Therefore it is "right and duty to report" against anyone who did a crime.

4- WE must remember that it is "Criminal & Gangs Mentality" to not "Talk" with POLICE. This corrupt and malicious mentality is well established in Canada & USA by the Criminal Organizations who have link in Police and Justice System.

5- As the result, the report of crime in Canada & USA has became a 'dangerous act' for a 'good and honorable resident' as Police, Lawyers, or Judges themselves may be members of gangs and attack to the "Informer and his/her Family, His business and breaches all his/her rights in the Courts.

6- SO, in reporting the crime, a man must exercise his/her discretion.
Major Keyvan Nourhaghighi
Victim of report of Crimes in Canadian Airline Transport Pilot License Examinations; tortured by Montreal and Toronto Police
http://www.geocities.com/doworkout

Answer 7

Depends how close a friend the victim and you are. Must be pretty close if they told you but not the old bill, I would keep my mouth shut, after all THEY were the victim not you or anybody else.
Sounds like a tough choice though, what was the crime?

Answer 8

if you have been informed confidentially then you should not break confidence without permission (if you breach confidentiallity then you will never hear anything else in confidence by this victim or any other one) - you should encourage the person involved to report it themselves, for many crimes the punishment is very poor and the victim is better just talking about it than reporting it

Answer 9

What's the point of reporting it if the victim is going to deny it?Having said that,i think you are legally obliged to report a crime.On balance,i reckon you should report it.

Answer 10

Report ALL serious crime in order to protect ALL others. (I.e., the victim, you, me, the next victim.) It is wrong for one to ask you not to act in a way that will protect all others.

Answer 11

Yes, you should.It is only the right thing to do to protect the victim from further violation and other citizens.People should not be allowed to get by with things. That is whats wrong with the world.