If You were Ken, wuld U have HELPED Sarah - The Accused (1988) Discussion

[–] red_rackham_77 16 years ago

I can understand that he was scared so was Sarah's friend who was a waitress at that bar. She must have known that it was her friend being raped in front of a whole crowd of people. What I wish for was that Sarah didn't drink or do drugs that evening, plus she shouldn't have flirted with that guy. I know it is wrong of me to say this but I am a person of high moral principles, I know she said no and that constitutionalizes a non consenting sexual intercourse, especially in front of a whole crowd.

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[–] JoeLoebner 16 years ago

I guess Ken wasn't sure of how to see what was really going on in that bar.

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[–] blondepittbull 15 years ago

I would have done anything humanly possible to stop it and called for help.

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[–] MitchConnor24 15 years ago

To be fair I probably would have reacted in a similar way to Ken, espescially if a close friend was commiting the rape, I wouldn't know what to do at first. I know it sounds wrong, but I'd probably be staring just out of shock and maybe a little interest to see how it would unfold.

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[–] rdartigu 15 years ago

I may have gotten my ass kicked trying to save her, but I would have given those bastards the fight of their lives!

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[–] Zynkin 15 years ago

A lot of you could say that you'd fight for her and whatnot, but most of you would probably stand and watch when you are put into a similar situation. This is pretty much a fight or flight scenario and you will definitely think more than twice to go against a horde of drunken maniacs screaming like they're in a Pentecostal Church.

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[–] dmatrix69man 15 years ago

exactly.....its a different scenario, when u are actually there experiencing it...

reasons why ken didn't do anything at first

is because he was dealing with a ton of emotions all at the same time he basically frozed up

1...shocked and surprised (1 minute she is dancing like a slut kissing him, then all of a sudden she is being attacked) for something to just happen like that out the blue is very mind blowing

2..... a group of drunk guys cheering and chanting (lord knows if ken would of tried to stop it they would of beat him to a pulp)

3.....his friends was also in the midst of the pack raping her ( he was frozen on whether or not to call the police, because he would get his friend in trouble)

what kills me about this film is

the men next door in the bar watching TV, later on coming over to see whats going on due to the noise of the men chanting and cheering and then witnessing the female gettin raped

none of those men, including the women from the bar which saw her friend being raped earlier and storming out the bar, called the police or try to help...

most people have this attitude of, hey if it has nothing to do with me
that im just gonna mine my business and go on with my day

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[–] scrabbler1 15 years ago

I agree with your 3 reasons as to why Ken did not try to help Sarah as she was being raped, instead running out of the bar to make his 911 call.

But the two women who would have helped her had they actually witnessed the rape were not around. The first one was the brunette (Danny's friend?) who, ironically, selected the song Sarah did her sexy dance to, became disgusted at Sarah's and Danny's behavior and left the game room area. It is not clear as to whether she left the bar altogether, as we did not see her again. The second was Sarah's barmaid friend. After hearing all the cheering and commotion, we saw her walk to the game room's entrance only to have her view partly blocked by male bystanders. The next shot showed her view of some of the activity but none of Sarah herself. From the look on her face and her quick exit from the bar, it appeared she may have suspected there was something awful happening to Sarah but she simply did not want to know more about it.

I agree that it would have taken very little effort for Sarah's friend to get a better view of the game room (and see Sarah being held down while being raped) and immediately scream for help. That troubled me, too.

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[–] af7-2 15 years ago

As much as my heart/conscience would say to help, my logic would say otherwise. I doubt Ken knew most of the other men that were involved, and even so, at last half of them were drunk and have at least twice the strength/size of one of them. It would be hopeless to say the least. Saying something against it would make them "blowing you off" in other words ignoring you. Doing something physically is a waste of time, as one punch from one of them would smash Ken's face in. If I were him, I'd probably do the same thing, run out and call 911.

Also a lot of you people aren't taking in the fact that he didn't expect it, so he was shocked for quite some time and understandably so.

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[–] omghxctinaa 14 years ago

Honestly if I were there I would have broken that *beep* up before the rape even started. When he stared kissing her aggressively. Get in the middle. I could however imagine that dude smacking me or something, then I'd probably just call the police right away. And if the attack continued on her I'd make a big old scene in the entire bar and do everything in my power to get them to stop, or get someone who could, preferably a guy, to get those *beep* off of her. Seeing as I'm a tiny female I don't think I'd be able to do much. But just seeing that happen would probably trigger something in me that'd make me find something to stab the rapist with like a fork or some *beep* or I'd just end up grabbing a bottle and smashing it on his head or something. I wouldn't be able to stand it. With his bare ass hanging out I could shove the bottle up there or something, that'd probably be the best way to get him to stop.

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[–] unknown_soul278 13 years ago

The barmaid's reaction was made more understandable when a flashback showed the ringleader speaking to her when she looked in and saying the eqivalent of 'You're next.'

The wild, cruel animal is not behind the bars of a cage. He is in front of it.

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[–] stevenackerman69 10 years ago

Wasn't the Scorpion (the ringleader) saying that to Ken?

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[–] kclaura2003 9 years ago

I don't understand that either: about the other patrons in the bar. Like there's all that rowdy noise coming from the game room and the bartender just keeps serving drinks? The people just keep watching the TV? Like really, folks? Nobody hears several shouts of "HOLD HER DOWN!!!" or "POKE THAT P***Y!!!" ?!?!

As for Ken, it does bother me he waits so long to call for help but I think he was just in shock.

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[–] metal_head1216 15 years ago

I definitely would have. Or, with that many other guys, at least done my best.

I was working at Wal-Mart, taking one of my 15s (we get two 15 min breaks and a 1 hr lunch during a shift) and decided to step out for a cigarette. No less than five minutes after I sat at the outside table, two of the girls I worked with were arriving to start their shift. I won't go into one of the girls personal life in depth, but she was having problems avoiding an abusive ex.

Well the ex must have been stalking my friend because he pulled up right as they started across the employee parking lot, got out and an argument started. I ignored it at first and minded my own business. Seconds later, however, the bastard *punches* her across the face. Her friend pushed him and started yelling. This got my attention and I watched him shove her against his own car. My jaw about half dropped when I saw him grab her chest and yank his back door open. Before I knew it, I was booking it across the parking lot and just jumped on the guy and knocked him to the ground. He started to get up and I kicked him in the face. He ended up leaving but I went back inside with the two female coworkers and ended up spending the next 3 hours of my shift talking to the police with them and filling out a statement.

This story's probably pointless for the most part, but I guess what I'm getting at is, I protected one girl from possible rape and I'd do it again in a f#@king heartbeat.

No Sparkling Wiggles here!

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[–] tonydomino 15 years ago

Sir I know we don't know each other, but I sincerely applaud your efforts.

I just hope if and when the time comes for me to face the decision to help someone, I will be mentally ready as well :/

As far as the situation in the film, I just thought of what could have been a clever tactic - however unlikely to succeed - as well as sacrificial in regard to myself. What if I (in Ken's place) decided to act like the rest of those bastards, and shout yaaaay and all that crap, walking towards the action and shout "I want next", except when they give me the opportunity, I go over to Sarah, pull her up off the pinball machine and shove her in the direction of the bar to get her the hell outta there?

Jesus, my blood is pumping just thinking about it.. I dunno if I could really do that but it would sure be slick and under the radar, at first anyway. The sacrificial part I mentioned would be once they see what I did, how pissed they'd probably be. Ah well. Come get some :)

The more likely approach for me would be more overt - namely grabbing the nearest decently weighted object and cracking it over their heads, legs and arms.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Smush Master 15 years ago

He was in shock that his close friend had become a rapist.
His mistake was not coming forward once it was over, and protecting his friend. It was like, he was more worried about losing a rapist as a friend then doing what was right.

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[–] bite_me_loser_86 14 years ago

Ken's passiveness is to me inexcusable. I understand that he must have been in shock, initially. I understand that he may have been scared to intervene physically or verbally because the men in the bar were bigger and stronger than him. But for him to wait until 3 round of guys have had her way with Sarah before he goes to call the police... I'm not buying that he was in shock that long. He was just a coward and being loyal to his so-called friend despite him being a scumbag of the worst kind.
He continues to be coward even afterwards. Has to be talked into testifying and then tries to take his statements back.
He continues to hang out with his rapist friend, even visits him in prison. I have some friends that mean the world to me. But if I ever saw them doing something as loathesome as what Bob did, I'd want nothing to do with them. I certainly wouldn't try to protect them.

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[–] SpaceGhostinthemachine 14 years ago

It's tough to say, judging this situation in 2010. There was so much less consciousness about rape in the late 80's. I could see how someone back then could actually get screwed up in the head about loyalty to his friend, pressure to be accepted by other guys and fear of being considered a pansy or whatever for defending her. This was a landmark case where guys who encouraged a rape were convicted for their role in it for the first time. I think so many more people today would intervene or act more quickly just on instinct than they would back then. We've had years and years of raised awareness about sexual violence that make Ken's inner conflict less and less understandable or relatable.

Another point is his age. He was just a college kid. I think an 18 year old guy would be far less likely to act quickly or decisively than a guy in his late 20's or older.

If I witnessed this kind of attack today, with me in my 30's, I would be physically defending the victim without a second thought. I'd also be pretty sure I'd have support from some other witnesses who would join me after I started to get involved. If I was around 18 in the 80's, I don't think I'd have the courage or clarity of thinking in the situation to take action.

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[–] Petals121 9 years ago

Yes there was less consciousness about rape but people still knew what rape was and that it was wrong. Some guy watching his friend rape a girl and not wanting to get his friend in trouble? I mean wtf???? That wasn't some 80's thing. That was Ken thing. That was something that made him loathsome.

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[–] 9 years ago

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[–] none-85 14 years ago

I would have helped Sarah by going into the bar and telling the bartender what was happening. Let the bartender call the police and take the heat.

Maybe Ken didn't act because he found the scene fascinating- as horrific as it was. force of one, my man. Stick em.

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[–] englisher101 14 years ago

First of all I would have been drunk at the scene, not sober, and I would have attempted to kick those guy's asses but would have failed miserably. However, having stirred up some trouble might have bought enough time for the police to arrive or at least for the men to rethink their actions.

After that I'd bang Jodie Foster myself but only at her consent. I'd resent her if she didn't give consent after I just saved her.

Actually something very similar to this happened to me once.

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[–] stonewaspknight 13 years ago

*beep* THAT! The only type of man that would not have helped here is a *beep* spineless POS.

I would have stabbed every last one of them pieces of *beep* to death. NO ONE DESERVES TO BE RAPED, let alone GANG RAPED!

Never in a million years would I sit back and watch horror like that. Any spineless coward that would allow that to happen in front of them is as guilty as the offending parties.

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[–] reed_dress 12 years ago

"After that I'd bang Jodie Foster myself but only at her consent. I'd resent her if she didn't give consent after I just saved her. "

Frankly you sound like a potential rapist yourself with that comment. Nothing is more nauseating than guys who thinks women "owe" them sex.

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