# 49. Manipulation of bias and heuristics in decision making ## 49.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 49.5.45. Omission bias We frequently judge harmful actions as morally worse than equally harmful omissions (inactions). The manipulator can help a victim justify turning a blind eye to a crime or deceit as less morally repugnant than actually committing the crime or guile. The crimes of child abuse committed by the Roman Catholic clergy in Ireland, for example, under the noses and in plain sight of the general public, escaped detection and punishment because the population "turned a blind eye" to it.