vnishmartemmeod:
Because they are chassidei shotah. They are frummer than the Torah. The Torah says mefurash, “Lo saylech rachil be’amecha, velo saamod al dam reiecha”. In the exact sentence that it says don’t talk lashon hara, it cautions that in cases of pikuach nefesh; don’t scream, “It’s lashon harah” to alert the proper authorities.
There is no defense for those who harrass or threaten in any way any family member of an abuse victim. If any victim’s family is harrassed, threatened, or receives any form of retaliation as a result of coming forward, that information is important to be reported to the police.