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Say you saw a guy (without a weapon) beating up a woman on the street, trying to steal her pocketbook. Would you intervene, assuming you either had a weapon of some sort or were physically equal to the attacker? I don't mean call the police, I mean actually knock the criminal on the head.
If yes, are you male or female? If no, why not? (fear of legal retribution, etc.)
I am a middle-aged, slightly overweight female and if I saw a man beating a woman up on the street I would not intervene. First of all, I am no match for a man and secondly, you never really, and truly know that the person does not have a weapon.
Now, that having been said, I would do everything in my power to help her any way that I could. For instance, I might pull up close to him and lay on my horn hoping that it would draw enough attention from passers by who might be inclined (and better equipped to help). I would certainly call 911 (for all the good that generally does). I would also try to physically intervene with my vehicle if that were possible. I would have no compunction about hitting him with my car if I could do so without injuring the woman also. The only way I would confront a man under these circumstances would be to make certain I could incapacitate him immediately, so that if he did have a gun that I didn't see, he could not use it.
Depending on the location and time of day, etc., there might be other things that I could do to help, but I would not endanger myself personally, because I have read news articles about people who are killed acting on the best intentions in the world.
Say you saw a guy (without a weapon) beating up a woman on the street, trying to steal her pocketbook. Would you intervene, assuming you either had a weapon of some sort or were physically equal to the attacker? I don't mean call the police, I mean actually knock the criminal on the head.
If yes, are you male or female? If no, why not? (fear of legal retribution, etc.)
Yes I would-- instruct someone to call the police immediately and take it upon myself to intervene by whatever means necessary in the interim. I would not limit this to a man attacking a woman-- even if it were the other way around. Offenses are not mutually exclusive to gender or age. Legal retribution... I'd have a hard time living with myself if I did nothing. Samaritan laws could stand to be strengthened IMO.
I'm female, but I have training in LE tactics & self defense. Not a trait ordinary women share, and are actively socialized against learning. I'm also against that notion. All human beings should know how to defend themselves.
You won't have time to consider any mitigating factors, unless the ones involved are people you know, and well.
Just ONE of many scenarios it could be.
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You assess, take the tactical situation to mind
NOT to be confused with over-thinking it a bit.
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and either act, or not, based on what's in front of you.
VERY true......as is the commitment to follow through on whatever decision you make in the little amount of time you have to make it.
Time is crucial in such a situation and whatever intervention one may take......could easily provoke one's temporary insanity.....to resolve the matter and should suffice as a defense to whatever criminal charges may result on the interventionist.
Say you saw a guy (without a weapon) beating up a woman on the street, trying to steal her pocketbook. Would you intervene, assuming you either had a weapon of some sort or were physically equal to the attacker? I don't mean call the police, I mean actually knock the criminal on the head.
If yes, are you male or female? If no, why not? (fear of legal retribution, etc.)
Not only would I intervene, but I have already done so a couple of times, once was a group of teens beating on a smaller kid and the other was a guy attacking a nurse in middle of the street in Hawaii. Both times just by acting they ran off, most of these guys are just bullies/cowards and as soon as they realize someone is standing up to them they bail.
Say you saw a guy (without a weapon) beating up a woman on the street, trying to steal her pocketbook. Would you intervene, assuming you either had a weapon of some sort or were physically equal to the attacker? I don't mean call the police, I mean actually knock the criminal on the head.
If yes, are you male or female? If no, why not? (fear of legal retribution, etc.)
NOPE! I would call the police....I'm not one of those gun-totin' Rambo wannabees who think the movies are real.
I don't want to get hurt(no one would pay me for my medical or other bills)... yup ,someone might die if I don't help (and thousands around the world die from violence everyday and it's not my job to save them).
Someone might die if I DO help...ME! So forget it!
I did witness such a thing and I did get between them. I was larger than the guy hitting her. She ended up being a beotch and wouldn't quit and kept egging him on.... I was about to hit her...lol
I've stopped for a van that flipped in front of me and pulled out 6 girls hanging upside down and the driver.
I also ran into a burning building to evacuate 3 floors... there was no one else there to do it so if not me, then who?
So the simple answer is yes I would do what I can.
I'm usually the guy being assaulted. Go figure.. and no, no one has ever come to my rescue. I remember one lady driving away, then turning around and driving back asking me if I was ok afterwards.. but no, no help ever.
Say you saw a guy (without a weapon) beating up a woman on the street, trying to steal her pocketbook. Would you intervene, assuming you either had a weapon of some sort or were physically equal to the attacker? I don't mean call the police, I mean actually knock the criminal on the head.
Yes.
Size would not matter to me. I have always been underestimated my whole life.
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Originally Posted by NHartphotog
If yes, are you male or female?
Male
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