In a compelling discussion on his latest book, "Enablers: Normalizing the Unimaginable," University of Utah’s law professor Amos Guiora delves into the often-overlooked role of enablers in perpetuating harm within institutions. The book builds upon Guiora's extensive experience, from his days as an IDF JAG Corps officer to his current role as a legal scholar and director of the Bystander Initiative.

Guiora differentiates sharply between perpetrators of harm and enablers. An enabler, he explains, is someone who, due to their position, is aware of the harm occurring and has the capacity to prevent it but chooses to protect the institution or leader instead. This distinction is crucial as legal systems typically target bystanders who fail to act rather than enablers who actively contribute to the protection of perpetrators.

The gap in bystander law is significant, according to Guiora. While some legal frameworks address the inaction of bystanders, there is little done about enablers who play a more complicit role. His work aims to bridge this gap by advocating for the criminalization of such enablers to ensure they are held accountable for their actions.

Guiora points out that institutions often escape meaningful punishment. For instance, when a university settles a lawsuit for substantial sums, it is usually covered by insurance, not by the individuals responsible. This lack of personal accountability means that measures like mandatory-reporter training or bystander intervention videos remain largely performative.

The prevalence of enablers stretches across various settings, from the case of Larry Nassar at Michigan State to the Catholic Church, and from Jeffrey Epstein’s network to political inaction in Israel. Guiora’s new book does not shy away from naming specific individuals involved in these networks of enablement, including senior Israeli officials close to Benjamin Netanyahu, revealing the political maneuvers that prevented actions that could have mitigated harm.

With "Enablers: Normalizing the Unimaginable," Guiora not only sheds light on the critical role enablers play in the perpetuation of harm but also pushes for a legal paradigm shift that could offer real protection for the vulnerable. His mission is clear: to give voice to the voiceless by ensuring that those who have the power to prevent harm but choose to turn a blind eye are held criminally accountable.