Watched a woman punching the man she was with today.

[Xales]

Was in the car when the woman in front who was driving punched the guy in the passenger seat.

Thought it was probably them messing around until she did it a second time and then a third time where she proceeded to try and punch him about 4 times while driving.

The guy was right against the door/window with his arm across his body to protect himself. He didn't attempt to stop her or retaliate.

Absolutely nothing I could say or do while driving behind them

Made me wonder if I would have been brave enough to say anything if not driving.

It is better to say something so that the person being hit knows there is help and the person doing it knows others are disgusted with their actions and risk getting hurt or just walk on and dial 999?

[Nigglenaggle]

I don't think you know enough about this to intervene. If people saw me and DH when we think theres no-one watching they might think we were in an abusive relationship. I would take a dim view of anyone trying to rescue us however.

[frustratedworkingmum]

Maybe he had just told her he was leaving her? I know its not justified but maybe he had just told her something awful and this is why he wasn't retaliating :( Very sad

[McBalls]

That must have been upsetting o witness. Best to call the police I think.

at the first 2 replies.

[SPsFanjoIsAsComfyAsAOnesie]

If it was a woman been hit would people say "well maybe she had said she was leaving him?"

[Nigglenaggle]

If the sexes were reversed my answer would be the same. My work involves me constantly seeing people (with the best intentions no doubt) trying to 'help' and either causing trouble or just wasting time, so probably my view is skewed....

[KitchenandJumble]

I wouldn't have intervened directly (sounds like a very volatile situation), but I would certainly have phoned the police. What a horrible thing to witness.

[garlicblocks]

YY, if you got the car's reg number ring the police on 101. When I see violence I do call 999, no matter which sex is hitting which. Also, as Beer says, she was driving without due care and attention.

First two replies are a bit odd.

[ladyWordy]

You have to judge each situation as you see fit, Xales. And there isn't much time to do that.

My thoughts are: in most circumstances, call police. This is the best thing you can do.

If you're witnessing a street assault, and only if you feel you can - stand safely at a distance. When the attacker has gone, approach the victim and see if you can help then. Try not to desert the victim unless you think you're at risk ( eg, drink, drugs).

Since you were in the car this time, the only thing you could do is memorise the car registration, and report the driver. Which is not very easy to do while driving, and upset! :( You witnessed an assault: but the driver was also driving without due care and attention, putting everyone at risk.

I imagine you feel a bit shaken up yourself. Witnessing violence is always disturbing.