AIBU - woman beating her daughter in street

[tinx]

So I’m in the garden this evening and hear a little girl screaming and her mum hitting her saying “you little cow you ruin everything”
Little girl is crying and screaming “you hurt me your hurting me”

I go out and confront the woman after MUCH hesitation, I was polite and not judging her I just ask is everything ok can I help you ? Do you need help ?

She backs away from the little girl and says “everything is ok, she just so rude to me she has a big mouth just like her dad and I’m tired”

I ask the little girl if she’s ok and she nods…

I walk away , now I can’t forget it I feel sick
I feel like I should have done something more but I was scared I’ve never confronted anyone before in this way

Should I have called the police or just minded my own business?

100% you should've reported. How old was the little girl?

She looked about 7 , I stormed out in my head I felt rage but I didn’t want to make the woman more angry

You can still call the police. Many many areas are covered by CCTV. You’ll be able to give a description and the mother might be known to the police - you might help build a case they’re working on or may help for any future reporting.

Call the police OP - you’ll feel better because it’s the right thing to do. But please don’t torture yourself - it must have been shocking to witness and to intervene.

Call the police

Please call the police and report. There’s so much cctv everywhere, they also might catch her going to a car and see numberplate or going into a house. Then they can follow it up.

It’s pure abuse, poor little girl. :(

You were in your garden and you could HEAR her hitting the girl?

If this is real I cannot believe you wouldn't call the police.

She lives somewhere close I’ve seen her quite a few times with the girl, when I first approached her she almost snarled I feel angry sad and scared that I saw this happen

Aww poor little girl

Yes report

I was told off on here for getting involved told it’s only a snapshot you have no idea what is going on

You have given that little girl a message people do care it will mean something I have been that little girl

Obviously it’s real !!! Why would I post it

I needed other mother’s opinions because I questioned myself she was trying to make me feel bad that I intervened like I was bullying her

Remember Arthur, remember Star, please report.

Yes me front garden is just off the Main Street and the we’re walking past I herd the slaps

This is what made me go out !!!

Report it. Description and what she said.

You can call the police now, it's not too late. Just tell them everything you can remember.

Please don't beat yourself up for not reporting it at the time. You did far more than most people would have done and it took guts to go out there and intervene. I've been that little girl and can remember the feeling that there was a glass wall between our family and the general public - nobody ever seemed to notice or intervene for us. It would have meant so much if they had

You know who she is and where she (roughly) lives - even more reason to report this.

@OhWhyNot

Aww poor little girl

Yes report

I was told off on here for getting involved told it’s only a snapshot you have no idea what is going on

You have given that little girl a message people do care it will mean something I have been that little girl

Absolutely agree and lots of little snapshots can make a picture. your job is not to investigate or speculate, merely report to the authorities. We all have a duty of care you must report it op.

Oh gosh - that poor little girl. And you - I understand where you’re coming from. Please report it - if you don’t and the next time you see her in the papers….

For crying out loud, report them and get the poor thing some help. It's not even a dilemma, I don't understand why you need others opinions.

You have given that little girl a message people do care it will mean something I have been that little girl

This. You did a great thing.

Please, please call and report this right now.

Another vote for call the police. The two horrifyingly tragic child abuse cases recently - Arthur & Star – I really hope they will lead to a greater awareness of abuse and more reporting. You were brave to go and confront her; it's really difficult. You did the right thing. Now call the police.

God knows what happens behind closed doors . Please report

If it was outside a neighbours house they might have a video things doorbell that you could give to the police.

Definitely call and report it.

I’m a psychotherapist and I often wonder how my patients’ lives might have been, if someone in their lives (a friend, relative, neighbour, a stranger even) had spoken up about the abuse they witnessed.

It’s never too late to report.

Write everything down and don’t be afraid to report to every authority/ agency you can.

It’s not your fault- the responsibility lies with the mother. But it can be devastating and extremely damaging for a child to have their abuse witnessed, and then see the witness seemingly do nothing.

I’m so sorry you experienced this. It’s easy for people to chip in now… but I am sure I would have been panicked and anxious in the moment too

In my line of work, Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If in doubt, always call and raise your concerns.