Maybe it was none of my business but.....
By jillhill
@jillhill (37354)
United States
August 5, 2008 8:04pm CST
When I was leaving work today there was a younger couple....maybe late twenties having an argument in the parking lot of the building in which I work. It was hard to ignore them as the argument was heated and loud! I was walking to my car and glanced over just when he slapped her in the face. She didn't cry or say anything just spun around on her heels and started walking down the driveway out into the street. He jumped into a pickup that was close to where they were standing and started after her driving somewhat erratically so I turned around and went back and told my boss since it happened on their property. She called the police and asked for a patrolman to come and check to see if the woman was okay. They had out of state plates which means she probably would be missing a ride if they continued to fight. I left right after this so I don't know what happened later....would you have just gotten in your car and drove off or would you have reported the situation also?
14 people like this
39 responses
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
6 Aug 08
You did the right thing 
Too often these days people think such things are none of their business, when it really is. If you see a crime being committed, in this case either battery or spousal abuse, you should report it.
I hope the young lady is okay. I also hope she finds a much nicer partner
Too often these days people think such things are none of their business, when it really is. If you see a crime being committed, in this case either battery or spousal abuse, you should report it.
I hope the young lady is okay. I also hope she finds a much nicer partner 4 people like this
@Mshell (62)
• United States
6 Aug 08
I would have done something. There may have been good reason for the argument, but he totally nulled his standings when he laid his hand on her.
I am quite a sassy thing, so it may have been that I would have approached her and offered my assistance with whatever she needed at that moment and dared him to come near. After calling the poilce of course
3 people like this
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
6 Aug 08
Yeah, I probably would of done something too, but you have to think that if you did go and try to help her, that he wouldn't have no problem hitting you if he hit his wife. Some people don't like others getting into their business, if he's angry about something he'll take it out on you too, even if he don't know you. I would of just called the police and let them handle it.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
6 Aug 08
I would have reported the incident to the police. He hit her and has a serious problem. People need to care about other people and not just look the other way.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
6 Aug 08
You did the right thing.
Hopefully she will get the courage up to leave him, since he obviously has anger management issues.
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
6 Aug 08
I will do the same thing you do. It will be hard
not to feel concern for them. You did the right thing
by telling the boss about it. Your boss is doing the
right thing also by calling the police. It's just a
safety precaution.
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
6 Aug 08
I would have done the same thing.I won't be able to sleep if I didn't do a thing. I laud you for taking time to do something about it. Some people will just pretend not to have seen anything and walk away from it. Sometimes I do this too, but afterwards I feel bad about it. You've done the right thing.
3 people like this
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
6 Aug 08
Good for you. So many would just ignore it someones gotta do something. I would have reported it as well. It is never okay to hit someone like that no matter what.
2 people like this
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
6 Aug 08
Not only did you do the right thing, but you reported it to your boss. In a situation like that, where someone is showing erratic behavior, it was best not to confront them. Instead you went to your boss and the police were called. I definitely would have done the very same thing. There are ways of getting involved without putting yourself at risk and that's what you did.
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
6 Aug 08
Hmm, domestic disturbances are always challenging in terms of deciding what to do. But, I probably would have gotten out my cell phone and just called the police from my car. That way, I could describe the vehicle right away. Those situations are usually pretty scary and I tend to feel like I "have to do something."
I think what you did was definitely the right thing,jillhill. I hope I would take the time to at least make a call.
2 people like this
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
7 Aug 08
Well, I think it would hurt pretty bad if a man slapped me in the face. I think whether I cried or not would depend on who it was that slapped me (a husband, a brother, a boyfriend, a stranger, etc.) I'm talking about what the nature of my relationship with him is.
But, when there's domestic violence between partners, many times the woman (usually the one who is abused, but it's not 100%) will not allow herself to cry in front of the abuser. So, that may be why she didn't cry. Or, I guess she could have been shocked that it happened, or too stunned to cry.
You thought fast, jillhill, and did the right thing without hesitation. Many of us might have reacted differently. You should be proud. I'm glad she was okay afterward.
@tlb0822 (1410)
• United States
6 Aug 08
I think that you did the right thing. I would have done the same. It's nice to know that people are still concerned about each other when they see something like that. I think I would feel guilty if i wouldn't do anything. Then if later I would hear that somethng had happened to the girl, then I could never forgive myself for not helping her.
2 people like this
@Uroborus (908)
• Canada
6 Aug 08
You did the right thing, and yes, I would have reported the incident as well. In fact I was in a similar situation many years ago, and I did report it. What the relationship is between the two is beside the point. No relationship connection is enough to justify abuse. When looking at such an incident you should look at it as if the two people were strangers, that is, one starnger was assaulting another. It is amazing to me how some people think it's ok to report abuse when the victim is attacked by a stranger (like a mugging), but not ok to report it if the two know each other. In either case the victime has the right to protection. Knowing the abuser does not give that abuser any extra rights.
@trishasantos (1297)
• Philippines
6 Aug 08
I will report it too. But not directly on the police but to the owner of the property. But I will stay that is if I dont have anything to do or I am not in a hurry. Because the lady might need help. I will leave them if the police is already in the scene.
@silvermage2000 (150)
• United States
6 Aug 08
Well I'ts a good thing you did that for precautions sake. And besides we do not know that full situation. And he could have hit you if you really got into it or aleast threatned you in the long run. But,telling your boss is better then ignoring it and doing nothing. Because I't could have got serious and I'ts better to be safe then sorry.
2 people like this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
6 Aug 08
I believe you did the right thing. I would have reported the incident to the police. There's no reason to slap a woman even if the argument is heated. I wouldn't be very concerned about the plates being from out of state as many rental cars have plates on them from other states. I would worry, however, if I read in the paper in the morning or heard the news on television the next morning there was a female murdered in that parking lot. I would feel guilty of not helping someone who was in need of help.
2 people like this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
6 Aug 08
I commend you for doing what you did.
It is very hard for me to turn away when I see a woman being hit by a man. But even if it were two men or women, I think when it becomes physical someone needs to call in assistance.
Many people, especially at the end of a work day like you were, would have gone on to their car and about their own business.
1 person likes this
@Wyldrose (1216)
• United States
6 Aug 08
I think you did the right thing. :) I would not of gone down there and confronted the couple..or just the guy at all. Like you said, he could of turned on you too. But telling your boss was the right thing to do. I'm sure I would of done the exact same thing. I hope the girl is ok and I really hope she can find someone who will treat her right. And as far as the guy...well I can't say it here..........
@bmorehouse1 (1028)
• United States
6 Aug 08
I think that I would report the situation to the proper authorities. YOu never know when some hot head will go off half cocked and end up abusing his/her partner or even killing that person. There are so many in the news anymore that have missing wives and of course most of the time the husband has done away with the wife. You did the right thing by reporting it. You can sleep soundly now knowing that you reported a possible abuser! Good for you!
1 person likes this
@krayzietam (832)
• United States
6 Aug 08
I believe you did the right thing and the smart thing. You acted without getting involved directly. Oftentimes, we may want to help but we don't know how to go about it. If you would have confronted the guy, things may have played out much differently and someone could have gotten hurt. Although I don't like meddling in others' business, I would have done something as well, especially since it seemed serious.
2 people like this
