somebody getting assaulted...what would you do?

naz101

This post isnt to start a fight or start an arguement. I am honestly curious.

My mum was out shopping today when a gang of about 12 boys/men started to beat the cr!p out of 2 other boys/men. This was in a moderately busy city centre during the sales.
She said almost everyone turned a blind eye to what was going on apart from one shorter older man intervened and managed to get the 2 boys off the ground. One of the boys was bleeding heavily from the ear from what looked like a bite. They crossed the road and the gang followed and started beating them again. This time 3-4 younger men intervened and stopped it.

Now she said to me she was shocked that most people kept walking and how that wasnt right. When I asked her why she didnt do anything (I was just trying to make a point) she said she was too scared they would start on her.

My question is:

What would people do in that situation?
1) help
2) walk away

I have to admit I would probably not interfere but would call the police. I would be too scared that as a lone female (although in this case it doesnt really matter) I probably could defend myself against all of them.

What would everyone else do?

elsien

It's called diffusion of responsibility - basically most of us feel less responsible if other people are around as we assume that it's someone elses job to do so, or that someone else is doing something so we don't need to.
I do think it also depends on the circumstances. I like to think that I'd start shouting and making a racket (I'm five foot nothing and 7 stone so physically stepping in isn't really an option) but until you're actually there I don't think most people would know how they'd react.
If I was with someone and knew they'd also step in I'd probably be more confident about intervening.

morganedge

Bystander effect?
It's easy to be a hero from you computer, but I know that 90% of people would do nothing in that situation.
I'm also not at all shocked that it was an older guy that attempted to break it up.
I spoke about this issue in a thread a long time ago, about how these 'have a go hero's' nearly always seem to be in their 60's.
Im not sure if that generation are just braver and a from a different time, or whether they dont quite realise how dangerously these situations can escalate in todays voilent world in which we live.
It's not worth it to most people to risk getting stabbed over someone elses argument

naz101

That is true. I have to be honest and say that If I was the one getting beaten up I would hope that someone would help.
Im a black belt in martial arts but even then I would be scared about what can happen. I guess I have seen the consequences too many times.

but you are right. Making a racket is also a good option. Unfortunately I have seen that going wrong too.

I do wonder if maybe Im being too wimpy. I have never been in this situation so I couldnt say for sure...

Crazy_Jamie

In the situation described in the thread I would call the police, as indeed I have done so in similar situations in the past. But actually attempt to physically break up the fight? No. Whilst intervening may sound heroic, the reality of the situation is that with twelve 'offenders' you stand no better chance than the two victims if they turn on you. My primary responsibility is to my family, and part of that responsibility is not to put myself in danger by physically intervening in situations like that.

That doesn't mean that I would never intervene physically. I have done so in the past, though thinking about it those occasions have always been to defend friends. The situation can change when you are related or associated with those being assaulted, obviously because you are more emotionally invested in their safety. But in situations like the one described here, I can honestly say that I would rarely physically intervene.

texranger

ive been in that situation, stepped in to help someone, ended up with a broken rib and a police charge for assault as one of the attackers made a complaint against me. this charge hung over me for 3 months before CCTV from a nearby shop was handed to police showing the full assault and that i stepped into help.
would i do it again my answer would be 100% NO NO NO

raineshoe

I've been in a similar situation and just dialled 999 and called the police to come right away. As it happened they did arrive straight away and the situation had diffused some what. Told them I'd called them as it had started to kick off, but it was okay now.

They weren't worried at all, just glad that I had made that call in the first place which if the situation had escalated even further they'd have been there in time.

ian1969uk

I'd help. I've had this discussion lots with my wife. I'm a big fella and she's always telling me not to get involved with things, but the twice I've seen things happening (not to the scale in the OP), I've rushed into it without even thinking.

When I'm sat quietly at home, I can see the logic to not intervening, but that's just not me.

tomjonesrules

I would (and have) called the police. From what I recall they do not encourage bystanders to get involved, tends to cause more trouble than it solves.

The only exception would be if a small child was involved, in which case I would create one hell of a noise and make as many people aware of what is happening, and the offender aware that people were watching.

Errata

In this kind of situation everyone hopes someone else will intervene so they don't have to. That's about it, really.

geri1965_2

It's best to call the police and not get involved, especially if there is a gang.

A fight erupted in the park opposite my work a while back, and when I was on the phone to the emergency services, she said they'd had several calls about the same incident. The police were on the scene very quickly.