Should mentally ill or challenged people be accountable for their actions?

[quagmire96]

Say there's a half naked woman walking down the street and there's a fully clothed woman on the other street, the mentally ill guy goes after the half naked woman and slaps her bum, tell me why he should be held accountable for his actions when the woman should have been dressed more modestly? Mentally ill people can't control themselves.

[Ozanne]

Someone mentally ill usually has someone responsible for their care, much like how parents are responsible for their children. If the person is out alone because it's determined by a healthcare professional (or a court of law) that they are able to function in society independently, then they would be responsible since they have been given the ability to go about their lives without a caregiver.

But your additional comment in all this: "when the woman should have been dressed more modestly" is victim blaming. Women are sexually assaulted minutely around the world, many of whom are dressed completely covered, such as the burka-wearing Muslim women, who do in fact get raped too. What a man views as modest is not modest to another. This is all subjective, and beside the point, not relevant when it comes to her safety.

[NotTacocaT6969]

Mental illness or disability does not negate responsibility.


Those with mental disabilities or illnesses which cause them to be a menace to society are thrown into a psychiatric hospital which is essentially a prison that uses diazepam and doors instead of iron bars and chains.

[jshm2]

You're confused. Not all mentally ill people can be held accountable.

But most are assessed, and some are deemed liable to stand trail as their mental illness doesn't effect their judgement or their control. For example someone with crippling depression who doesn't get out the house much, could be liable for a crime the time that they did.

[Anonymous]

Yes because it doesn't matter what they are afflicted with, they are still a danger to society. However, i think these people should be relegated to a mental hospital then actual prison becuase rehabilitation should be the priority.

[AngryCarl2]

Victim shaming? Really?