We have all been a silent witness to abuse, at some time or other. i have been both the victim & the witness. And, most people do & say nothing. For me, it has always been a fear of getting beat down by the abuser. i've been there, & i still have those cowardly/PTSD issues. And i always feel sick when i fail to do anything.

i truly respect your conviction to speak up the next time that you encounter abuse. If more people in this society stood up to these people, their power would be taken from them. As it is, noone wants to get involved, & they know that. They know that they can abuse their children, their girlfriends & wives, their mothers & grandparents, & noone will stand up to them. And hence, we all become cowed victims of their abusive intimidation.

So, please do stand by your conviction. Speak up! And that goes for all of us...

maybe that kid had just been caught gaying again and needed a righteous beating to get his mind right.




(relax, folks -- just trying to inject some good 'ol comic relief -- otherwise, all that's left to say is "fuck spousal/child-abusers".....)

(you're probably right though, I,A, about the kid getting it even worse had you intervened -- a difficult situation, indeed.)

So basically...


You admit you were a COWARD who just sat there and witnessed child abuse take place right in front of you as you did NOTHING. But you promise to do better next time.

yes, that's what they said, damosa -- good comprehension skills.

This is a tough one. The fear that anything you do could throw fuel on the rage fire is ligit. I've done that and it didn't help anyone. Sorry folks.

Before I intervene again I will wait until I see a verifiable, prosecutable offense, and then come on with both barrels: witnesses, photos, cops, etc.

Short of that I do like to make faces behind the douchebag's back so that the attacker can't see me. Anything that makes it clear that another person recognizes where the real problem is. Little Dude/Dudette, your dad is batshit crazy!

Domestic violence is terrible, and far more prevelant than anyone cares to admit.