Chapter 15 Pointers to 'pause for reflection' and 'counterpoint' boxes

Intentional interferences with the person

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The purpose of these examples is to get you thinking about what might be considered a 'reasonable' means of escape. In our view, it is unlikely in the first instance that the rope would be a reasonable means of escape, especially if it didn't reach the ground. In comparison requiring someone to take a five-minute detour in the middle of the day is unlikely to be considered unreasonable. But what if it is late at night and along an unlit path? This may well make the detour unreasonable – although this is by no means certain. Is there a gendered dimension to what might be considered reasonable here?

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