Police opinion on citizen involvement with domestic violence in public. What would you do?

Question

I witnessed an argument between a couple in public. The man threatened the woman with physical abuse. I did not see him strike her but my instincts told me he would. I know the general opinion is not to get involved but let police handle it. There must have been something I could have done to at least distract him until police arrived. What should I have done?

Answer 1

No. You do not get involved at all. You aren't trained like we are to diffuse the situation and know properly how to handle it. Plus you don't want to get hurt in the process.

Answer 2

Trust your instincts. If you think things are going to escalate, you are probably right, even if it doesn't get worse while they're in public.

Domestic Violence is about control, and a batterer who is willing to abuse (verbally or physically) in public is showing very aggressive behavior that needs to be stopped.

I would call 911 immediately. Give a description of the couple. If they are leaving, try to see what car they are driving, the license plate number, or which direction they went. if at all possible, stay close by so you can tell the police what you saw or seek other emergency help if a physical assault occurs. As a witness, you might be able to give the police enough details to arrest the batterer.

It is important, though, to seek help because public assaults can often lead to others being injured by accident.

Be very careful, though, in approaching. Your safety is most important. Seek the help of people with authority. If it's at a restaurant you can ask the manager to address the situation, for example.

You might not end the abuse for good, but those who are survivors of domestic violence often feel like no one else sees the abuse or cares. Your actions can help someone recognize that their partner's behavior is inappropriate and that s/he needs help to be safe.

Answer 3

Be wise not to get involve.

Let the police handle it.

Mostly arise with self lack of knowledge.

Living in misery with faulty education and communication system.

Luke 8.5-8, 10-17

Also never listen to what the other were communicating.

Just jumping to the conclusion even before the communication is over.

Luke 9.25,55-56,60

What do you think?

Answer 4

I'm not a police officer, but I would suspect that they would like you to do nothing.  

First, you can defend others as you would defend yourself, with the same amount of force as being put against you (or another person).  The fact that the person did not make any offensive contact means you were not even in your right to "defend" that person.

For instance, if he shoved her, you could shove him back to keep him away from her.  If he hit her with his hand, you could hit him with your hand.  If he hit her with a baseball bat, you could hit him . . . it's a little more complicated than this, especially when trying to determine when the assailant is no longer a threat to the person you are defending.  

Police don't like self-defense for this reason, but it is a defense to what would otherwise be a crime!  It will be up to the officer whether or not he wants to charge you (and is likely that he would).  The defense would arise only after you are charged with a crime and are being tried (it's seldom an affirmative defense).

If I saw a man hit a woman, I would try to physically stop him, but I wouldn't throw any punches.  Best thing to do is call the police, and act as an eyewitness if the officer decides to charge the assailant.    It's best to offer to be a witness to the officer than to have to talk your way out of getting charged with battery!

Hope this helps!  

Answer 5

Don't get involved. Call the police. Domestic Violence calls claim more police officer's lives than any other call for service and the cops got guns. What do you have? Nothing. Call the police from a distance, be a good witness. This person put themselves in that position, don't kill yourself over that person's bad indecision. If you do get involve, remember that person you try to defend with force will turn on you in court because "she loves him" and not you. Next thing you know, you'll be the one in jail for busting that dudes face in.    

Answer 6

The only way to intervene in that would be to ask them if they have their discussion someplace more private because their fighting is getting in the way of your having a good time.  Jumping into their fight in any way is none of your business--so distract them by telling them to leave you alone.  Don't expect them to be nice or polite to you when you do this (and be ready for but not looking for a physical confrontation--possibly from the woman).  After they get mad at you, calm down and leave the place.  

You didn't witness a real crime--jumping in because of a threat will certainly get you in trouble--the girlfriend will take the boyfriend's side and say it was nothing and that you started the fight.