Local prosecutors have said that the bystanders who stood by and failed to help a woman who was being raped on a Philadelphia commuter train are unlikely to face criminal charges.
According to transport officials, CCTV footage shows that bystanders on the train “did nothing” as the assault took place. Police had earlier suggested that commuters who may have filmed the rape could be prosecuted.
A man was arrested for the assault and now faces rape charges and several other charges.
The alleged rape took place last Wednesday on a train belonging to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (Septa). In a statement, Septa said that “there were other people on the train who witnessed this horrific act, and it may have been stopped sooner if a rider called 911″.
A Septa employee who boarded the train called police, who found the victim and took the suspect into custody. The victim was taken to the hospital and is cooperating with the police.
During a news conference on Monday, police stated that they do not believe that any of the commuters called 911 as the woman was harassed and eventually raped over the course of more than 40 minutes. It is unclear how many other passengers were in the train car when the assault took place.
Investigators are also looking into whether some bystanders filmed the assault as it was taking place, it is possible that they could face criminal charges but the final decision will rest with the Delaware County district attorney’s office.
Sources: BBC, 24CBC
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