Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WWYD - Intervene or keep walking?

268 replies

StepInOrLookAway · 16/10/2023 15:27

Group of 9 kids, boys and girls, around 11 years old. One boy on the ground with 4 boys standing over him, at least one pushing down on him.

If you witnessed this would you intervene? If not, why not? Out of fear for your own safety? Would you alert anyone else? No judgement, just interested.

OP posts:
SophieJo · 16/10/2023 15:28

What did you do?

DustyLee123 · 16/10/2023 15:29

I doubt I would, due to my own safety.

Blowitout · 16/10/2023 15:29

Instinctively I would probably attempt to intervene especially at that age. If that was my child on the floor I hope that a stranger would do the same.

Motomum23 · 16/10/2023 15:29

I would intervene. I would have my phone out with 999 ready to go and shout at the group that I was calling the police in the hope that they scarper and then I'd help the kid.

MrsKwazi · 16/10/2023 15:30

Absolutely intervene and call the police

Nopenopenopenopenopenope · 16/10/2023 15:30

I would intervene.

Sirzy · 16/10/2023 15:30

With those ages yes I would intervene.

floppybit · 16/10/2023 15:31

11 years old?? Of course intervene!

criminallyvulgar · 16/10/2023 15:31

I would and have in similar circumstances including with older teenagers. It's all our responsibility not to walk past.

Alargeoneplease89 · 16/10/2023 15:31

Intervene... pack mentality really pisses me off. I would video the kids as well and post it online so their parents can see what darlings they have produced.

Fireisland · 16/10/2023 15:31

11 year olds? Yes, I'd intervene as I think the likelihood of 11yos turning on a middle aged woman is low.

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 16/10/2023 15:32

I'd intervene

I do it everyday with fully grown men ( men's prison) so it would be easy enough for me

Appreciate difficult if you aren't used to conflict which I sadly am!

ClarkGablesMoustache · 16/10/2023 15:32

Of course I’d intervene. It would be irresponsible not to.

RedHelenB · 16/10/2023 15:33

I would watch and wait. It may be what used to be called " horseplay". If it was all that group on to one thrn I'd have to intervene, they're only primary aged kids.

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 16/10/2023 15:33

I'd call the police, as the mother of an 11 year old who could over power me and because of the general area I wouldn't directly intervene

Cherrysoup · 16/10/2023 15:34

Definitely intervene, I have no fear of kids that age (teacher)

I was horrified to see a video of a 90 year old guy having his watch ripped off him by a thief in a busy street and nobody intervened, despite the poor old guy shouting about what had happened. Thief strolled off! 🤬

Comedycook · 16/10/2023 15:35

I'd absolutely intervene

Noodge · 16/10/2023 15:37

I think I would. This happened to me aged 14 and a woman walked past and told the girls beating me up to keep the noise down!

Whataretheodds · 16/10/2023 15:37

I'd call out "is everything OK, do you need me to call an ambulance?"
If you're worried about your safety do it from over the road/distance.

Most likely they would disperse, I'd have thought. Then you can check on the boy on the ground.

Witchinawell · 16/10/2023 15:38

If that was your boy on the ground, I’m so so sorry.

Iwasafool · 16/10/2023 15:39

StepInOrLookAway · 16/10/2023 15:27

Group of 9 kids, boys and girls, around 11 years old. One boy on the ground with 4 boys standing over him, at least one pushing down on him.

If you witnessed this would you intervene? If not, why not? Out of fear for your own safety? Would you alert anyone else? No judgement, just interested.

I would and I have although they were a bit older, maybe 12 or 13.

Nicole1111 · 16/10/2023 15:42

I would definitely intervene. Often just someone questioning what they’re doing is enough to stop them in their tracks

Cakeorchocolate · 16/10/2023 15:45

Intervene. As uncomfortable / nervous as it might make me.

If you were the parent of the kid on the floor you'd want the passing adult to help, surely?!

OTM1982 · 16/10/2023 15:45

Intervene, intervene and intervene again. My boy has been on the receiving end of bullies just like this and adults who ignore and walk away are scum in my opinion.

spiderlight · 16/10/2023 15:51

I would. My 11-year-old was in a similar situation and I am forever grateful to the passing mum who intervened, brought him home (he knew her from primary), and identified the perpetrators to the school. She's a lot scarier than me and I don't know how effective I'd be but I couldn't walk by.