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David Moss wrote an addled allegory:

Suppose you were looking out your window and heard screaming from your neighbours house. You know from recent conversations with his wife that he allegedly beat her, and made the children do piece work for his beer money. You have read reports in the paper of other incidents of abuse, but you also do a lot of business with the husband, and rely heavily on him for your income.

The next day you see the wife walks down your path with her kids and knocks on your front door. You notice she has her suitcase as well as her family in tow. She tells you that she can no longer live in the house next door. She says she has proof her husband has been molesting the children and cheating on you in your business dealings.

She says if she goes back he will wail into her, and possibly kill her.

Can she count on your help, will you at least have her claims investigated? And can the children count on your protection till you get to the bottom of the matter?

Or will you think only of your business dealings, and call the husband to ask if his wife is still where he thinks she is, and then lie to the neighbourhood claiming "She never came to me for help! Ghods Trooth!"