"Several factors affect the likelihood of bystander intervention. Situational awareness helps bystanders identify problematic behaviour quickly, so they're ready to intervene. Feeling responsible for others makes people more likely to step in and help. Moral courage and trusting your intuition are important factors in the decision to intervene."
"Picture the scene: You're walking downtown, and you see someone who resembles the wanted poster for a suspect in a child abduction 9 months ago. Do you (1) trust your judgment and call the police or (2) shrug it off, assume you must be mistaken, and carry on with your day? The case of Elizabeth Smart highlights four people who found themselves in exactly that situation, and whose courage, awareness, and commitment to being active bystanders played a crucial role in bringing a missing child home."
"Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her bedroom in Salt Lake City, Utah, in June 2002 at the age of 14, with her younger sister as the only witness. For nine months, she was held captive by her abductors, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee, and was moved around a range of locations while disguised with a face-concealing shroud."
Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her bedroom in Salt Lake City in June 2002 at age 14 and was held captive for nine months by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee, often disguised with a face-concealing shroud. Mary Katherine Smart later recognized 'Emmanuel' as Mitchell, prompting circulation of his picture. In March 2003, members of the public in Sandy, Utah noticed a man matching the suspect's description with two veiled women who avoided eye contact. Two couples trusted their instincts, contacted authorities, and their situational awareness, sense of responsibility, and moral courage helped bring Elizabeth home.
Read at Psychology Today
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