Domestic Abuse, do people have a responsibility to call the police?

bort

While I was in the army my wife and I were friends with a couple. The male was in my infantry unit and his wife rode the bus with my wife. The wives talked, and my wife talked to me about some things, and it really came to a head when Mr. put Mrs. in the hospital. He stomped her head, but that was not the first time abuse, it was going on all the time and she was complaining to my wife sometimes on the bus about it.

My wife knew what happened, and knew it was not the first time. We discussed it and finally contacted the authorities.

They told us we had to have actually witnessed the abuse.

That was Hawaii in the early 90's, so I am sure reporting standards might vary from state to state, but --

At least we did something. The abuser's wife did not want to loose her meal ticket (not her exact words, but she needed him to support her -- in her mind at least), so she would not cooperate with us, and hubby found out and started giving me problems at work. I had thought him a decent guy before finding out he wasn't just an abuser, but a beater.

If you at least report the suspected abuse you will feel better knowing that you did something. Whether the authorities can stop the abuse without the help of the abused person is another question...

varixis

maybe not social but defintely moral

Brandon G

yes I do

beachdude

yes

Lisa S

No. Because the one being abused will probably deny it.

Bad Girl Gets Spanked

I suffered from this for many years a long time ago and do not know how far it would have gone if my neighbours wouldn't have got involved. I also heard it from some other neighbours and did report it to the police. If you hear a woman being beat then of course you need to do something about it.x

www.LensPainter.com

Without a doubt.

Frank T

yes
always
no matter what
you could be saving a life

good luck
smile

Gravy

Morally, yes.

Legally, no.

wizjp

i have to live with myself.

Yes.

saskalot

definetly

bettyboop#1

yes i think they should. lots of women in domestic abuse have very low self esteem, they are embarrassed and have been told over and over it is their fault that some believe it and just take the abuse. they need someone to step in and help them if this is happening to them.

Jeanne marie s

Yes I do feel that people should report domestic abuse. How would you feel if you ignored it and someone was killed. You dont have to give your name so no one will know that you called.

Leno D

if there is a child or mentally ill person or old person involved.
if the adults both come out with bruises they might be into that.
you can call child welfare or social services for elderly and child abuse.

humane society or ASPCA for animal abuse

Your Friendly Jewish Accountant

Absolutely.

princess1979

Would you want someone to be concerned if they seen you in trouble or wasn`t sure what was happening in a sitiuation? I would....there is nothing wrong with being concerned.

Tricky questions. There are many factors involved, but overall, yes, you should call the police.

Carolyn W

I believe it is, and would do so in a heartbeat, particularly if there are children in the house.

thumpfrosty

yes in fact in some states it is the law and you can get in trouble if you do not

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