ospalh quoted Hybrids by Robert J. Sawyer (Neanderthal Parallax, #3)
Content warning Oblique references to violence
Without a victim’s accusation, no crime has been committed. (...) The truth might come out, and again (there would be criminal proceedings)
— Hybrids by Robert J. Sawyer (Neanderthal Parallax, #3) (Page 229 - 232)
What is it? Since about the middle of Book 1 the rule is without a victim’s accusation, there is no crime. That is the whole Ponter–Adikor dynamic. This scene starts the same way. And ends with talk about consequences if »the truth might come out« with the victim definitely not make an accusation. Sawyer has painted himself into quite the corner. Not sure if he didn’t realize it, or if he was just hoping the readers wouldn’t.