If you see a random person being assaulted, is it basic human decency to try to intervene, or at the very least call the police?

Question

Intervention includes physical intervention, trying to draw attention of more people to the assault in hopes of that bringing it to a halt, or anything else that might help.

NathanDavis · Accepted Answer

I think it is more than that for some... it is a basic human trait to want to help others, but there's also this other instinct of preservation, which could make you not want to risk your own life or health, safety

when I was young, I used to intervene right away and get involved in most cases, the ones in which was clearly an abuse (like a woman being assaulted, a child, or a guy jumped on by many) and to me it was mostly a reaction, and while I did consider the risks, I still risked it

I guess most people can relate to being young and "careless" or to not think that much about possibilities and consequences and you do not have the most clear concept of "dangerous" or you do, but just don't feel at that much danger... back then I knew people could draw a gun, or a knife or something else but I used to see it as something extremely rare

and then things changed, not only I was growing up, getting older... so I would think twice before getting myself into dangerous situations that could very well put my life at risk, or my health but other things changed as well, the region became very VERY violent, and now the chances of getting killed were very real and very present (cartels overtook the region) so I just had to start to do it less and less just because that's the reality of some places and some people... sometimes, you are not going to be able to do anything to help and you are just going to lose yourself when you intervene

I used to think before, am I willing to risk danger in order to help a stranger, and the answer was yes... and I did

but nowadays is a bit different, am I willing to pay with my life, in order to intervene and probably not be of help over a stranger being assaulted, well... now I can't always do that, I would do it for my family and friends absolutely and without a doubt, but for a random stranger, I have to consider many things because at least in my case, the consequences can be absolutely real and they can be final, as in... it can cost you your life and I don't have a death wish and I am not as careless as I was when I was 20's

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Accepted Answer

Yes, of course, any decent person would try to help in some way

1GoldTwins · Accepted Answer

I only jump in if I have a friend with me. I have three friends and we work together so we should be able to take down one attacker. We don't even have to say a thing, eye contact and we know what we're all thinking.

Alone I would need a weapon. I was thinking of a bat, but who walks around with a bat in the city?

PrettypleaseDY · Accepted Answer

Probably

VanillaSalt · Answer

No not it’s not. In a situation of life and death I probably would help despite my deep desire to have no part in it. But it’s not a right.

And to be frank… I think it’s a good thing we’re seeing this more and more. This is what happens when people don’t value and trust each other. Maybe women will be less bitches to men if men didn’t step up to help… Afterall I’ve yet to see women stand up in any real way for mens rights. Johnny Depp only won cause he’s fucking Johnny Depp! Well that and Ambers about as likable as a rabid honey badger on pure crack cocaine after a week without sleep during the hottest day of the year after fasting for 3 days… fuck that bitch…

That being said I’ve ignored helping people and I’ve risked my life to help… I stood between a gun and my family once. I’ve helped fiery car crash twice. I’ve helped police arrest a man. I’ve asked someone I didn’t know why she was crying. I’ve helped stranded strangers. I’ve also left stranded people. I refused to aid 3 women that had a flat. I’ve ignored children obviously lost in the store because I am NOT gonna be the white male found with a lost child…

I choose when and when not to risk myself for others. The only obligation I have is to my family.

ThoseCognacEyes · Answer

The question is very complex. For starters, I will definitely do something. Calling the police is the least I would do. Without going into much detail, the nature of the city that I live in currently is different from my previous city and neighborhood. In my previous city, I knew the whole neighborhood, so it was easier for me to physically intervene because at any given point in time, 10-15 different guys will come and back me up. In my current city, that is not the case, so I would try to help indirectly.

ohsheeT · Answer

When I was a little kid and I guess if I did something wrong my stepdad would always tell me to go to my room he would walk in with his belt in his hand and he would beat me with it if I ever see anybody being hit or hurt even if it's a pet my mouth will start running and it will not stop until that person stops and if I have to use my hands to make the person stop I will I've done it before I've had my ass kicked before by three guys because some guy was beating on a lady and I wasn't going to stand for it and I would do it again all over there's no reason in this world you have to put your hands on somebody because you're upset or you're pissed off there's no reason at all

MikeInHawaii · Answer

In the People’s Republic of Hawaii, I might go to jail if I harm the attacker. A homeowner who shot a knife wielding home invader was charged with murder. The deputy prosecutor said using a gun against a man with a knife was disproportionate force. (The stupid bitch ran for prosecutor and I enjoyed voting against her and seeing her lose.)

And, in the PRH there is not one person with an active concealed carry permit. So I’m not sure how I’m supposed to stop criminals one third my age and twice my size if I can’t carry the necessary tools to do the job.

Marshymallow · Answer

I would intervene by calling for help. The cops or people around.

Would I physically intervene with strangers getting assaulted? Nope! Be careful what you get into these days, you don’t wanna be the victim.

alice55 · Answer

In France there's a laws that say you're forced to call the police of you see someone getting assaulted but you're also forbidden for helping them you must only call the police and let them do their job without ever doing anything if not you're considered as an assaulter and the real assaulter would be consider as a victim.

TheMajesticKing777 · Answer

Depends what I see throughout the assault, like a week ago I saw some dude punching another dude walking out of the credit union and the dude was holding a camera saying he punched like a bitch, I believe he asked for it, either ways tho I know others will get involved and personally I'm not the type to do so unless it bothers me of some sort

Aerissa_Jade · Answer

Where I live, you would have to intervene cause you can call the police and when they show up, anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes later, the crime is long done and over by then.

People have this perception that police are fast, they simply are not. Especially in large rural counties where an deputy going a 100 mph still might take 30 minutes to show up.

I would definitely intervene, which is why I carry... and almost everyone here does too, either open or concealed.

whirled_up_girl · Answer

I would call 911 and report it, let them sort it out. I doubt I could intervene and do anything useful but yeah, I believe in being decent and the decent thing to do is at least call the police.

Daniela1982 · Answer

Sometimes that can be dangerous. A 12 year old girl tried to get between two family members that were in a heated argument at a family gathering and wound up being stabbed to death by one of them.

sirderpsalot123 · Answer

Calling for help is human decency.

"Intervention includes physical intervention, trying to draw attention of more people to the assault in hopes of that bringing it to a halt"

Not a bad idea, but also not always something that's doable. What if it's late and nobody else is around? Intervening , like most things, depends on the situation; how many attackers are involved, do they have weapons, etc.

Guy13 · Answer

Intervene in some form that's within one's personal capacity using good sense.

Brokenheartedx · Answer

I made the mistake of stepping between bullies and someone they were kicking the shit out of... Few months later the so called victim was picking on my daughter.

StevieNix · Answer

I'd call the police, and not let them see my caller ID.  No good deed goes unpunished in this world.

msc545 · Answer

Depending on who is being assaulted - a child or an elderly person - I will call the cops - although by the time they show up it won't matter usually. An adult independent woman? She can take care of herself.

Agape93 · Answer

A basic fight type assault, ill keep away. Not my problem. But if it's a sexual assault, I'm making it my business and someone's about to die.

Sixgunsound · Answer

Who here remembers the series finale of Seinfeld?

Still-alive · Answer

Yeah i would call attention to it while at the same time dialing 911

Light909090 · Answer

I’d call the police 👮‍♂️ no point on Going to jail over trying to prevent a rapist from raping a possible masochist

Andres77 · Answer

Now it’s more likely that a bystander will take a video and sell it to the news channel

Po1989 · Answer

I think generally yes, but I also do sort of understand the videos where you see people not doing anything as to not be held liable. Calling the police should be okay though.

madgoat · Answer

Keep yourself safe. But yes, many would want to do something.

hostboy__fastestlaps · Answer

I would normally vote A, but my parents are very strict about calling 911, so B. I am on my parents' phone line

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

You won’t get arrested for trying to help? (Going in yourself)

OddBeMe · Answer

I think most people have decency. But there is the kitty genovese effect

ManHater · Answer

just be a black man wait till who ever wins then mug the guy on the ground.

LonelyHeartedSoul · Answer

2% of people would probably take action and everyone else would take there phones out to record. That’s reality sadly.

BarryLiverstone · Answer

Saw a person get shot and I called 911

2facedfa1ry · Answer

in most cases yea

Cubus · Answer

I believe yes

If you see a random person being assaulted, is it basic human decency to try to intervene, or at the very least call the police?

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