Avram,
Actually, there are 3 people responsible for the aveirah of LH.
The people who cause it amongst them. So the fact that they went out in public makes their violation even greater.
Again , if you read my previous post, I point out that we were once told in a shemiras Haloshon shiur, that if someone does something which hurts you badly, and talin g it out will make you feel better, its allowed. Please check it out as I stand to be corrected.