Train rape case an example of 'bystander effect'

The case of fellow riders not taking action to stop a man from raping a woman on a suburban Philadelphia commuter train is the latest example of the "bystander effect," according to Elizabeth Jeglic (Pronounced JEG-lick), Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.

The more people present at a crime, the more likely individuals feel it is somebody else's responsibility to intervene, call the police, or take other action to prevent the crime.

Jeglic says recent research studies of hundreds of hours of surveillance video show that people do intervene to stop crimes most of the time.

Authorities in suburban Philadelphia say a stranger raped the woman on a commuter train in the presence of other riders who a police official says "should have done something."

Upper Darby police were called to the 69th Street terminal late Wednesday after the assault.

A police official says a transit employee in the vicinity of a passing train reported that "something wasn't right" with a woman who was aboard.

Police say surveillance video captured the entire episode and showed other people on the train at the time.

A 35-year-old man was arrested and has been charged.