Discussion Post: Vigilantism

[gen-is-gone.livejournal.com]

So, the show has had quite a few would-be vigilantes over the years (A Real Rain and Hotch's actions in 100 coming most readily to mind) but specifically in regards to Regina in Unknown Subject, there were quite a few comments saying the Emily shouldn't have deceived her, and even some that said Regina should have been allowed to murder her rapist. While I agree that the Piano Man was a despicable person, and his crimes warranted his hatred, I found slightly off-putting the idea that one of our team members would condone revenge murders, especially given the past anti-vigilante themes on the show. So my question for you is this: what stance do you think the show has taken in regards to vigilantes and revenge killers, and do you agree?

Comments

[nwjarvis.livejournal.com]

I think that a victim accusing the wrong guy (as differentiated from "false rape", e.g. a false accusation) are probably a pretty low percentage of overall rapes, as (I understand) the vast majority of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim; in those cases mis-identification shouldn't happen very often.

I wonder, though, about the percentage of mis-identification in stranger rapes. Do you know whether there are any statistics that have been compiled on the subject?

[citjara.livejournal.com]

I think 90-95 percent of all sexual offenses are committed by someone the victim knows.*
Don't have a number on mis-identifications, though. But I guess it varies from case to case.

(*Gideon & Reid actually hinted at that problem in P911 - I think - when they talked about the harmful effects of the "Stranger-Danger"-Program)

[nwjarvis.livejournal.com]

It was "What Fresh Hell" but, yeah, same principle. The vast majority of both rapes and child molestations are by people already known to the victim.

[full-metal-ox.livejournal.com]

As Morgan can attest to his sorrow.