Feel terrible about ignoring abuse in street

[LucyITSkyWDiamonds]

I was walking back from Tesco just now, down a street that was pretty much deserted aside from a few people (clearly nobody else was mad enough to go out in the dark and snow). I got about halfway down this street and heard a man shout "just shut up about killing yourself or i'll fucking do it for you, you dumb bitch", sorry for the language. Looked around and figured it was this couple (I assume) on the opposite pavement.

I stopped for a minute and looked around to see if anybody else was about. There were a couple of people walking on that side of the pavement so I just kind of assumed they'd do something. They looked to be walking over that way, but when I looked later, I think they just walked straight past. As a tiny 20 year old woman, I was afraid I'd end up getting quite seriously hurt. I was like bambi on ice as it was, wasn't really in a position to rush over there and do something.

I feel absolutely terrible now and I'm really worried about what happened in the end. I know I should have done something in the moment but I just panicked and was too scared, please don't tell me how much of a bad person I am as I already know. Is there anything I can do now - I considered ringing the police but the incident was around 20 minutes ago now (I fell over on the ice later and got a nasty cut on my ankle so it took me forever to get home).

It's a snapshot I have said terrible things to dh during arguments and him me it might be something but it might be nothing? In reality there's probably nothing you could have done

It might just have been a snapshot but it was something awful to say. I've said bad things during arguments before but would never go that far. To be screaming in the street that you'd kill someone? It's too much.

He wasn't being physically violent (that I could see, didn't have my glasses on) and later on I heard him say some more reassuring things "think of your family etc" so I'm hoping it was just a stupid remark.

Smeaton - thanks so much for the reassurance. I definitely haven't had any kind of training and shy away from all sorts of confrontation! I know it would have ended badly if I'd gone over but I still feel incredibly guilty for doing absolutely nothing.

I don't think you did anything wrong - what could you have done? The most you could do, if you have a description, is log the incident with the police. Hope you can go easy on yourself though.

Agree with what has been said already, you didn’t do anything wrong. You couldn’t have stepped in without putting yourself in danger and probably making things worse for them too. Don’t beat yourself up, it sounds like a crappy situation to be in and you’re not to blame here.

Hope your ankle is okay too! Take care in this weather, it’s awful isn’t it?

I stuck my beak into a very drunken argument at London Bridge one night - both he and her rounded on me and told me to STFU and mind my own.

Make a 101 or 999, but never get involved.

He sounds like someone who is at his white end with a person threatening him with suicide.

I’ve had it, it was awful and I think I have said similar. It was a way of controlling me into staying in a relationship I didn’t want to be in.

If he was saying ‘think of your family’ etc, it doesn’t sound like abuse, more someone who is being pushed to their limits. I think you did the right thing not getting involved.

whits end! Not white end!!

Your first responsibility is always to your own safety in situations like these.

I wouldn't get involved in a couples argument. Why would you? If there was violence I would call the police. But a row no I wouldnt.

You were right not to get involved and put yourself in danger. don't feel bad.