I believe if someone witnesses a crime they should automatically contact the police. Even if it isn't the "law", it's common sense and the right thing to do. It's different if the people witnessing the crime have some involvement in it and don't want to get in to trouble, so they don't tell the police because they have something to hide. But if they are just bystanders then they have every right to tell the police, if they were the one getting raped they would want someone to help them.They should be held just as accountable as the people committing the crime.

I feel that bystanders of crimes are just as liable as the perpetrator, if they do not speak against an offense. If an unmoral occurrence takes place against myself, I would blame those witnesses just as blameworthy as the wrongdoer; I inquire others to respond to an equivalent condition, and I honestly think all would answer they would hold spectators responsible, as well; this is common sense. Furthermore, individuals who conflict this statement are perhaps accountable of an analogous transgression, in which they have witnessed misconduct, but failed to give testimony to what they saw.

In this situation the bystanders should have had some morals or at least some pity for the girl. Maybe this just seems obvious to me but I feel that you should have a sense of responsibility to report a crime if you witness one. Therefore I feel that bystanders are just as accountable as those committing the crime. In any case there's usually nothing to gain by just simply standing and watching a crime being committed so there isn't any reason why you shouldn't report it.

The disgusting and lecherous people who watched the young girl get raped are absolutely insane. The onlookers should be charged with similar crimes as those of the criminals; after all, they were technically enjoying their view of what was happening.

All people who watch crimes should be held accountable to some degree. If cowards continue to watch crimes happen around their society, they become used to what they see, and it becomes a habitual trait. Therefore, people should be held accountable for watching crimes so that society will not become ccorrupt in enjoying the sufferings of others.

As a avid sienfeld fan this reminds me of the last sienfeld episode were Sienfled and his three other friends are sent to jail because they watch as someone is getting mugged and show a record of not caring for the wel-fare of others.Although this is fiction this scenrio rings true If people are not presucuted for not helping those in danger they will repeatedly do it, and the next crime they witness could be worse than the previous one.

Everyone knows right from wrong. If anyone witnesses a crime they should do something immediately and call the authorities. When someone is in trouble and they need help you always lend them a hand. If a crime is witness and not reported the people watching should be charged with the same punishment. They new that is was happening and they did nothing to stop it. They are just as guilty or even worst since they could have done something to help the victim.

Crimes have to be proven to have the guilty people pay for their mistakes and if people can help by identifying the guilty party or can tell what really happen in the crime than they should speak up and say what happened. It is people's responsibility to help keep the world a better place and if people do not do their part to help the world be a save place from does who hurt it than people should be held accountable. If people do not speak up for does who can't, they should be punish because they should realize this could happened to them and they would want does responsible to pay and not let them go; they would want the witnesses to speak.

Hmm, let's think about this situation. A fifteen year old girl gets raped by ten boys after a homecoming. While this awful "show" or production is occurring, ten other boys are enjoying their view. Of course those watching should be convicted. The bystanders are just as liable as those committing the crime, because they are keeping the crime in action. In this case, it was a simple right from wrong. This isn't a theft or a fight at school, this is something that has scared this child for life.

Of course they should, because the witnesses had a chance to stop the crime from continuing. From what I know, those witnesses were not threatened nor did they have anything to risk if they chose to report the criminals. The witnesses have no excuse for their actions, and I wonder if they feel any guilt knowing that they let a 15 year old girl go through that. As a result, the perpetrators and witness included, should be punished and serve time in prison. Nothing that the witnesses say or do now, will ever heal her wounds.

To witness such an act, withhold its existence, and have a clear conscience is an ability that amazes me. I can understand reluctance to bring notice, but ultimately justice is being trampled on if injustices are never reported. By standing there, staring off, and doing nothing, "innocent" bystanders become accomplices and impediments to proper action.

Absolutely! What makes them different from a lookout of a high-stakes robbery? A witness committing perjury in a court of law? These people are willingly withholding information needed to hold a fair and true decision once arrests have been made.

As related to the gang rape case, this is equally a case of child pornogophy. People caught in possession of it or who watch it are not only shunned from society, but arrested. Is watching a 15 year old girl live different than pictures which could have been taken on cell phones at the location?

Bystanders of crimes who do nothing to help are just as responsible for the crime as the perpatrators themselves. By doing nothing, these people are helping the crime be commited and as such should be held accountable as accomplices to the crime. Inaction is one of the contributing factors to the success of crime and should be treated as a crime itself.

Yes, yes, and yes. There is absolutely no justification in keeping silent if one is witness to a crime, especially if another's life is in jeopardy. In the case of Kitty Genovese, a young woman who was assaulted in the back alley of her apartment as bystanders, her neighbors, did nothing in response to consistent screams just a few feet below, the outcome was not as favorable, for she lost her life. This young 15-year-old did not lose her life, but has probably lost confidence, trust, and her sense of security. She is has experienced what no person should- experiences that could have been evaded if just one witness had called the police.

I think that witnessing a crime should be illegal for any crime of any age. It doesn't make alot of sense to sit there and watch people get murdered or raped or whatever the case might be. People who decide its cool to watch someone else do evil should definetly be held accountable for not notifying officials and getting the issue taken care of.

Although it is hard to punish someone for NOT doing something, there should be some sort of punishment for not reporting a crime. I don't know how anyone can watch a crime, especially something as horrible as rape, and not do anything about it. These people should be forced to tell police everything they saw and also pay a fine. The law that makes it illegal to not report a crime involving a child under 14 should not have an age limit. No matter the age of the victim, anyone who has any information should be held accountable. The fact that this act of violence went on for two hours blows my mind and makes me so sad that someone could just stand there and watch it without trying to get help.

Of course they should be punished! Those who dare to just stand and watch are just as wrong as the ones committing the crime at the very least. One might argue that the perpetrators might come back for revenge for reporting someone and therefore by not reporting they are protecting themselves, but to me guilt is worst that anything those barbarians could do. "Do to others as you would like done unto to you...", I am pretty sure no one would like to find themselves being attacked and nobody coming to their aid especially if they are watching.

Definitely. A bystander who does not report a crime is just as responsible the one committing the crime. Other than the the bystander himself being in danger, there is no reason no to make that call to the police. Anyone with any morals whatsoever would know that reporting it is the right thing to do. Period. End of discussion.

[wow,i just watched and read so much about this and my heart goes out to the girl]

okay, i believe there is a law that if you watch some one get murdered and you dont report it to the police, you can still be arrested as an associate of the crime or something like that [law && order!]. so if you watch a 15 year old get raped, no matter if she was drunk, high, or unconscious, you should still report it to the police. i dont know about those people, but i couldnt sit to watch to seconds of something like that, let alone live knowing that a girls life could be ruined and i didnt do anything to prevent that from happening. to me, watching a crime and not reporting it and committing a crime both should result in some sort of punishment. [and now im afraid to go to any dance, thanks alot america!]

Since I am very judicious, I will try and give thest guys some sympathy. So based on pure facts, a few students proceded to forcefully "be together" with another girl. Then, a few more students either joined in or were just spectators. This wasn't a hit and run, this was an event that lasted for 2.5 hours. Now, adultery is a sin in Christianity so their moral judgemened should've led them to call the police. But instead they looked on which in esscence makes them partially responsible. Now maybe counseling is also necessary along with jail time because they acted very proud of what they did, seriously hurt the girl and emotionally scarred her. So i'm sorry guys I couldn't give you any sympathy after using just logic.

Although it isn't technically the law in the state, I am morally compelled to answer yes to this question. Of course I believe that the bystanders who did nothing, and even joined in, are just as guilty as the people who raped this poor girl. In fact, one could argue that by not reporting the gang rape to the police, the witnesses were aiding the rapists. However, what will happen in this case is based entirely on the court's and jury's interpretations of the law.

In this circumstance, yes, the people who watched, and therefore indirectly abetted the gang-rape, should be punished. The article cites that "[as] many as 10 were involved in the assault" and "as many as 20 [were] present at [the] gang rape" meaning that 10 witnesses did nothing to help the 15-year-old girl. If anything, shame and horror should at least drive the hapless witnesses to stop the rape at once.

Yes, if its putting someone's life or property in danger then bystanders should be held accountable. When a young girl is being raped does know one feel the urge to help her. To show some kind of compassion to this girl that will forever be scared for life. I am disgusted that no one stepped forward earlier.

YES THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!!!! If you're not apart of the solution then you're apart of the problem.

Of course, I think these human beings (animals) should be accountable.