A Pressing Question: When Does Our Responsibility to Protect Others Begin and End?

The President just fired lots of Inspectors General (federal fraud watch dogs appointed by a president), despite this action being in apparently violation of law.

A person who should not be driving due to a myriad of impairments and endangering others in a previous incident, just drove off despite warnings from others.

A doctor who did unnecessary examinations of women and men’s private parts was just charged with rape but so far has escaped other legal actions.

So, do we just stand by and watch? Do we take legal action? Do we try to stop bad behavior? Do we let others intervene for us? Do we just watch and wait? Do we hope that reasonable people with more direct involvement than us will actually step up to the proverbial plate?

Are People in Positions to Step Up Actually Stepping Up?

Here is what worries me. People in positions to step up are not stepping up. I get that there is risk to stepping up. It can alienate family, friends and colleagues.

A fired Inspector General can step up (having been fired so the risk of being re-fired seems small). But, what about the other Inspectors General who were not fired? They risk their job for sure. What about Congressmen and women? Never mind; I know where they stand.

A family member could stop the dangerous driver (to whom they are related) but it might well impair their relationship with the driver (unless it is already impaired). That’s real. Taking the car keys away from my late husband had horrid repercussions. What about citizens who have witnessed the risks stepping up and reporting the driver to the Department of Motor Vehicles? Possible but not without blowback.

The many victims of the charged physician’s abuse can step up and report his behavior, although that presents them with forced confrontation with all sorts of personal demons and unwanted and invasive public attention. What about the other medical professionals who worked with or witnessed this physician in action (and they must exist)? They may risk being shunned or fired.

Just look at what happens to Whistle Blowers. They often sadly become unemployable on the theory that no one likes a snitch. For real. Just think about the term “tattle tale” used to describe kids who report harassment or misbehavior.

OK. So we are all chicken at some level. We leave it to others to step up and help right the wrongs. But, I have to wonder, is that wise? Is that right? Is that benefiting society writ large?

I can hear the hue and cry: we don’t have responsibilities outside our narrow lane. Really? Is that true? And if it is true, is that what we should be doing? Is that how we create a quality community and a safe environment?

I am wrestling with these issues as I write. I am hoping those in positions to act, to report and to address wrongs will do so. Perhaps their conscience will push them to act. And in the meanwhile, I will ponder for myself what I can and should do to protect others from harm and report danger when I see it. How far am I willing to go?

The Law’s Reach

Within legal systems, we do have some Good Samaritan laws (that’s positive) but their scope is limited in the US. Generally speaking, we don’t have a duty to rescue those in need in the US (unless one created the hazard/risk in the first instance).

Our nation differs in this regard from hosts of other nations. There are plentiful examples of duties to protect and to warn and to help. By way of example, in Belgium, there is a duty to help someone when there is a known hazard, unless doing so puts the reporter/helper at risk. Think about that. Citizens who stepped over a fallen (ill) fellow bank customer in Germany were civilly charged.

Shouldn’t we have a duty to protect, to help or warn in our nation? Shouldn’t this apply to how we assist our most vulnerable populations? Shouldn’t we report dangerous behavior that can hurt others? I just saw a story about a minister in Evanston, Illinois who was going to bar immigration officials from entering his Church, which serves as a sanctuary for immigrants. He’s brave.

Bottom line: What are the levels of our courage? When will we, when must we, speak up? I’d call that a critical question in today’s world.