By Terry Loving
GOD’S WORD® Translation (©1995)
“Save [us] with your powerful hand, and answer us so that those who are dear to you may be rescued.”
If you saw someone being abused, would you help them?
The ABC television show “What Would You Do? – stages scenarios to record the reactions of people watching drama unfold. The unsuspecting witnesses to the scenes may or may not get involved. For those who choose to get involved in staged couples violence, what would cause them to do so?
Could it be that their convictions concerning violence against women stirs up courage to help the abused woman? In the case of a man being hit by a girlfriend, do most people feel that “he must have done something to deserve it? Therefore, they keep walking without a word – is this a case of violence bias?
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If a poll was taken concerning this subject, responses would vary – “Yes, I would get involved.” “In a heartbeat!” “Without a doubt.” “No, it is not my business.” “I would be afraid to get involved.”
In many instances, reluctance to get involved would stem from the appearance of the abuser. Meaning, if the abuser was tough looking, thuggish, or crazed, many people would not feel comfortable getting involved. Some may call the police once at a safe distance, and others would just talk about it with friends like they just saw a violent movie.
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What if the abused was not a stranger? What if you heard your neighbor being beaten, screaming for help behind closed doors? Would you knock on her door? Call the police? Or turn up the volume on your TV and pretend that all is well? How would you feel the next day seeing the abused battered and bruised? Would you feel guilty for not trying to help her in any way? Would you find a time when she is alone and have a chat with her – give her the Domestic Violence Hotline number? Would you wave to the abuser as you have always done – trying to not show your displeasure?
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If the abused is a family member – daughter, mother, son, father, sister, brother – any relation – what would you do? Would you step to the abuser and try to stop the violence? Would you try to get your loved one safely away from the abuse? And what if the abused does not feel comfortable in leaving at that time? What would you do?
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We can ponder these questions within our minds; however, what we would actually do remains to be seen. In many cultures, family members stand by idly and watch the violence take place. Because a wife is considered her husbands “property,” loved ones feel it is not their place to step in. They may counsel the abused woman to “be a better wife” when the beating is over. But in essence, they stood by and allowed a crime to unfold.
Now I ask this question – “What would you desire others to do on your behalf?” What would you want family members to do to help you? Would you expect strangers, or neighbors to be there for you? If you screamed loud enough for your neighbors to hear you, would you at least expect them to call the police? If your family stepped in to help you, would you accept their assistance?
As you watch the following videos, point out the person that would most likely respond the way you would have. Even if you call the police on behalf of the abused, that is better than doing nothing.
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Teen Couple Fights: Would You Intervene?
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Woman Beats Boyfriend: What Would You Do?
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
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CHRISTIAN SUFFERING-IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GOD’S WILL?
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OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
“DO SOMETHING!”
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