Question about police officer (spoilers)
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agracier-574-436194 — 10 years ago(July 21, 2015 08:32 AM)
I recently read about a female teacher no less, accused of having sexual relations with a (male) pupil getting sentenced to 30 years in Utah.
But I would guess that Australia has far less draconian sentencing laws than some US states.
Anyway, the teacher not being in jail here in the movie is necessary for the plot. Otherwise the father cannot suspect the teacher of Lily's disappearance. So I'd say it is a somewhat unrealistic aspect of the plot. -
!!!deleted!!! (58906484) — 10 years ago(July 21, 2015 08:56 AM)
Teacher student sexual relations are not uncommon in any part of the world. I lived in Australia and they are progressive to a point. I think the age of consent is different. Regardless, the teachers actions where never really brought up because the Parker's were the type of people that kept repressing the truth. They would literally run away from the truth. Lilly ran away. The Parker's moved. It only at the when Mrs. Parker asks "Are we bad parents?" does she begin to grasp the magnitude of what has happen.
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agracier-574-436194 — 10 years ago(July 21, 2015 09:09 AM)
the Parker's were the type of people that kept repressing the truth. They would literally run away from the truth.
That is an interesting theory and might just possibly be a believable explanation but, as far as what we see in the movie, it is just supposition. The viewers really don't know anything of that nature. We aren't given enough information. -
!!!deleted!!! (58906484) — 10 years ago(July 21, 2015 09:29 AM)
Fact Lilly is promiscuous. Her behavior is embarrassing to the family. Basically to Mr. Parker and Tom are both put off her actions. Tom states that reason they are in the town is because of Lilly. Things seemed to be handled quietly. There no charges pressed against the teacher. The Parker's left their old residence in shame. Snake being questioned but not charged with anything. Bridie being protected by the cop. One poster has really nailed it. Look for his or her post.
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agracier-574-436194 — 10 years ago(July 21, 2015 10:14 AM)
Not pressing charges in cases of statutory rape is not really an option. Once reported or found out, it is no longer a personal matter, but a matter for prosecutors. The people involved, parents and all, do not have a say in prosecuting or not. 'Justice' will slowly but inexorably commence grinding
Therefore I don't see why the Parkers should have left their town in shame. That is for the instigator, the older person doing the seducing, to do. In fact, in the movie I found it odd that the teacher was not in prison and certainly that he was still married and with custody of his own child. In underage sexual molestation cases, divorce usually follows as surely as sunshine after rain. -
!!!deleted!!! (58906484) — 10 years ago(July 21, 2015 10:26 AM)
Mr. Parker beat the hell out the teacher and they all let the matter stay. No one came forward regarding the matter the sexual relationship. No one really wanted to drag Lilly through the muck. Small towns are different and small in the Outback are very different. I lived in Australia and in small towns where things are handled personally. However, in real cities where you has Child protection services this would been quite different.
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agracier-574-436194 — 10 years ago(July 21, 2015 10:36 AM)
No one came forward regarding the matter the sexual relationship. No one really wanted to drag Lilly through the muck.
None of this is shown in the movie. It is supposition.
What is shown though, is that the teacher has a restraining order against Mr.Parker. So, if such a legal decision is issued, then surely some sort of investigation into the matter must have occurred. And then something regarding the (alleged?) sexual molestation by the teacher would have been officially noted. -
greg-goremykin — 10 years ago(July 21, 2015 02:53 AM)
The guy would be up on statutory rape charges at best, and be a prime suspect related to Lily's disappearance at worst. His character came across as that he was emotionally troubled, or perhaps mentally challenged, and the officer knew that he would never have hurt Lily, and that Lily, despite her age, would have been the instigator/aggressor. Much like in the Southern US, in some of the remote communities in the interior, a certain element of white people also do not take kindly to race mixing, especially between an indigenous man and a white woman, especially an underage white woman, so that would definitely be a consideration for Hugo Weaving's character as well.