No Date:- Vigilantism: We have explained exactly what we consider vigilantism in the sections below:
1) Vigilantism;
In all we are speaking of an attack against some who was thought to have committed or was previously convicted of a sex crime of some sort.
2) Vigilantism by Media;
3) Vigilantism by law; and
4) Vigilantism by Police.
Vigilantism: Once the actual crime is over, then it is up to the laws of the day to punish for the criminal acts. Now, any actions (generally attacking type) towards persons convicted or accused of crimes, however subtle, which are not part of the court's sentence, carried out by someone who is not under the sentencing court's jurisdiction executing the judges sentence, gets into the world of vigilantism. Persons who exact their own form of personal hate and harm, however subtle, to those who have committed crimes or are accused of crimes, cross the line of being a vigilante.
This definition EXCLUDES the natural feelings of a victim (and those close to the victim) which result from the crime; certainly these people are not vigilantes, unless they then act illegally. Remember, it is every person's constitutional right, "to remain silent, and not act." You are not required to love thy neighbor! See: "Vigilantes: Coming soon to a community near you," In the News: Forensic psychology, criminology, and psychology-law by Karen Franklin, PhD
Vigilantism by Media: There is no problem with the media reporting on issues related to offenders, that falls under freedom of speech and the press. However there comes a time when the media crosses that line such as, naming all registrants individually when such is not necessary to raise the topic of the report. This is when the media becomes a vigilante, when they ignore the subtle consequences of their actions for the sake of sensationalism or ratings.
