Question

Explain this quotation: Judge Danforth – "But witchcraft is ipso facto, on its face and by its nature, an invisible crime, is it not? Therefore, who may possibly be witness to it? The witch and the victim. None other. Now we cannot hope the witch will accuse herself; granted? Therefore, we must rely upon her victims - and they do testify, the children certainly do testify. As for the witches, none will deny that we are most eager for all their confessions."​

Answer 1

Answer:

The victims must be believed.

Explanation:

Judge Danforth is saying that because witchcraft is an invisible crime, it can only be brought to trial based on verbal testimonies, and because a witch will not testify against herself, the victims' testimonies must be believed. Danforth also assumes that the witches will confess to their crimes after the victims testify. (In reference to The Crucible).