To think the majority of people would cover up the crimes of their loved ones

[NEVERQUIT3331]

I had a discussion with a friend about what someone would do if they found out someone they loved dearly e.g. children, partner etc would do if they found out they committed a heinous crime that could land them in jail for a very long time (e.g. burglary, rape, murder) etc..

And I said that I feel a lot of people would acknowledge these crimes are heinous but if it actually happened to them they would probably most likely if they could cover it up and ensure their loved one e.g. child does not do time.

Do you think this will happen in most cases?

Something to remember is that if you cover up for a relative, you are also committing a crime yourself. And if it's a serious offence, you'll likely get caught and go to jail too, so not worth it. As illustrated by Maxine Carr and Ian Huntley and Vicky Pryce and Chris Hume. Knowledge of that would probably lean me towards not doing it.

They'll likely get caught in the end and I'd also drop myself in it. So not worth it at all.

My dad sexually abused me as a child, his mother made excuses for him, it was my fault apparently. I never reported him once I’d grown up, I had no proof and my Nan certainly wouldn’t help, but I’d have no hesitation in her shoes to report it. I know first hand the damage it does. I don’t know why so many people decide to protect the males in the family over the females suffering at their hands.

Thank you to the women who have reported. I can’t imagine how hard that would have been, but you’re true heroes for doing it.

It depends. But my first thought would be I would turn them in for their own good. Having the guilt and fear of being found out hanging over them would be worse than taking the punishment and moving on from it eventually.

I don't think many people would willingly cover for a loved one they were sure committed a heinous crime, but I do think people have enormous capacity for self-deception and would cover for them because deep down they can't believe they really did it.

Rape, not in a million years.
Cold blooded murder, no.
Accidental murder or murder with a huge backstory like DV or something yes. Burglary etc. Absolutely

Yes id cover up for close family. Ive thought about it and in most cases ( not all) i would.

Not if they consciously hurt someone like rape or murder unless it was in self defence.

Remember the case where a lady cycling through a park was hit on head by brick raped and left for dead. The perpetrator was a teenage boy and his parents handed him in.

murder with a huge backstory like DV
I hope you mean the victim acting in self defence or breaking, rather than supporting/covering up for the abuser?

No. There are two scenarios: you want to help them, or you are revolted by the crime and want them to be punished. In the first scenario, I firmly believe that the best thing you can do is get a lawyer, tell them everything, and then follow their advice to the letter. Anything else will eventually turn out worse, so I’d strongly push someone I loved to do that. In the latter, I wouldn’t protect someone.

Nope.

If it were my child, I would be there to ensure justice was served, they had a good defence, and support them through their sentence . . . unless it were rape or CSA. Or murder. Then I wouldn't support them through their sentence.

Actions. Consequences.

Any other crime, I'm pretty bloody hard nosed about too. Drink driving, criminal fraud, these have victims too. I'd shop my FIL in a bloody heartbeat if I had any goods on his dodgy dealings.

I'm really surprised at people saying they would cover up for burglaries, etc. Imagine if you were burgled and how you'd feel.

My dad was in prison for burglary and I think he's scum. He was not poor and desperate, he owned his own business and house. He is just a horrible person.