Page 2 | Man slapping child

Yorks2Lancs7 · 2025-12-13T20:09:47+00:00

I am going to preface this by saying I do not have children. But I grew up in a not pleasant household. tonight I was having a drink with my partner at a train station pub, I saw a man slap his child round the face (probably 5 years old) I spoke out, the mother said ‘he didn’t slap her on the FACE’ I said he did, I saw it, you are a terrible mother. She then came towards me to try and fight me but I went in the bar. I told my partner and although he was proud of me he told me given current aggression in the UK I should stay out of it. WWYD?

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 13/12/2025 20:53

Yorks2Lancs7 · 13/12/2025 20:32

The mother was sticking up for the father. It was a knee jerk reaction. They are both pond scum

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I'm not sure a woman who is potentially being abused herself is pond scum...

TiredofLDN · 13/12/2025 20:55

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 13/12/2025 20:52

No, you don't ignore it but you also don't confront someone who is that openly abusive to a child. You put yourself in danger, you put the child in danger and you put the partner in danger

Report. That's the safest thing to do

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But HOW?! For instance- in the street, if I’d called the police, I had no way of knowing where they were going/ who they were/ identifying details.

The women in the park- same thing.

Neither place likely to be covered by CCTV etc…

I’m not arguing, I just don’t know how you go about it and would love to know!

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 13/12/2025 20:57

TiredofLDN · 13/12/2025 20:55

But HOW?! For instance- in the street, if I’d called the police, I had no way of knowing where they were going/ who they were/ identifying details.

The women in the park- same thing.

Neither place likely to be covered by CCTV etc…

I’m not arguing, I just don’t know how you go about it and would love to know!

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If you can safely record without being caught - do that

But you will know what they were wearing, what they looked like, what direction they came from, where they were heading...

There is CCTV everywhere, a shop they passed or a Ring doorbell on a house or a dash cam even...

And at the least, if they are known to the police or if they become known the police, there's evidence there

Gardener82 · 13/12/2025 20:57

RessicaJabbit · 13/12/2025 20:15

You'll probably have got the mother into trouble at home with him... Making him look bad.

If he hits his kid,a, and she minimises it... he probably does the same thing to her

I’d report this to the police. There have been so many news stories about children being murdered by step parents and mums/dads just ignoring the abuse.
Please report it though op, the pub and train station will have CCTV.
The only thought any 5 year old should have tonight is getting there list to Santa sent off on time not am I going to be assaulted by a fully grown man.

kittywittyandpretty · 13/12/2025 20:58

TiredofLDN · 13/12/2025 20:55

But HOW?! For instance- in the street, if I’d called the police, I had no way of knowing where they were going/ who they were/ identifying details.

The women in the park- same thing.

Neither place likely to be covered by CCTV etc…

I’m not arguing, I just don’t know how you go about it and would love to know!

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You would be very surprised how much CCTV coverage there is in the UK

TiredofLDN · 13/12/2025 20:59

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 13/12/2025 20:57

If you can safely record without being caught - do that

But you will know what they were wearing, what they looked like, what direction they came from, where they were heading...

There is CCTV everywhere, a shop they passed or a Ring doorbell on a house or a dash cam even...

And at the least, if they are known to the police or if they become known the police, there's evidence there

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I take your point, and god forbid I’m ever in that situation again will bear it in mind.

I’m just not sure I believe police will do a door-to-door scour of a street for ring doorbells, after a report of a man raising his fist to strike his teen. I would like to though!

sprigatito · 13/12/2025 21:00

When I was an abused child I really wished people would intervene and I remember each and every person who attempted to. Yes, I’d get it in the neck later, but that was happening anyway and it made so much difference that there were adults out there who found it horrifying. I had a very low opinion of the many adults who knew what was going on but chose to “mind their own business”.

Gardener82 · 13/12/2025 21:02

TiredofLDN · 13/12/2025 20:55

But HOW?! For instance- in the street, if I’d called the police, I had no way of knowing where they were going/ who they were/ identifying details.

The women in the park- same thing.

Neither place likely to be covered by CCTV etc…

I’m not arguing, I just don’t know how you go about it and would love to know!

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I’ve reported a woman hitting a baby before. I called 999 and followed her whilst still on the phone so I could give an exact location. She knew I was doing this (kept shouting over her shoulder for me to fuck off) but I could have been subtle about it.

Gardener82 · 13/12/2025 21:03

sprigatito · 13/12/2025 21:00

When I was an abused child I really wished people would intervene and I remember each and every person who attempted to. Yes, I’d get it in the neck later, but that was happening anyway and it made so much difference that there were adults out there who found it horrifying. I had a very low opinion of the many adults who knew what was going on but chose to “mind their own business”.

Same, I find it unforgivable.

LadyKenya · 13/12/2025 21:08

kenadams5 · 13/12/2025 20:19

I’d have called the police if I witnessed an adult slap a young child round the face. I’m not sure the intervening really helped.

It may help in the moment, if it stopped him from hitting the child further. But the Mother, and child would be more likely to suffer the consequences once they get home, hence why the Mother was likely trying to minimise what happend. The best thing to do would be to get as much detail as possible, description etc, and report to the Police.

LadyKenya · 13/12/2025 21:16

sprigatito · 13/12/2025 21:00

When I was an abused child I really wished people would intervene and I remember each and every person who attempted to. Yes, I’d get it in the neck later, but that was happening anyway and it made so much difference that there were adults out there who found it horrifying. I had a very low opinion of the many adults who knew what was going on but chose to “mind their own business”.

That may be the case, that you had a low opion of those Adults that did nothing, but you admit, that it made things worse for you later on, when people did intervene. Sometimes saying something in the moment, could do more harm.

couldthisbethenewname · 13/12/2025 21:17

Well done for saying something.

I saw a mother really hitting her small child at a bus stop many years ago - I was in my early 20s - and it still haunts me I didn’t say or do anything. I was too scared of making things worse. Should have snatched the kid up and called the police.

couldthisbethenewname · 13/12/2025 21:19

LadyKenya · 13/12/2025 21:16

That may be the case, that you had a low opion of those Adults that did nothing, but you admit, that it made things worse for you later on, when people did intervene. Sometimes saying something in the moment, could do more harm.

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I think there’s a bigger thing which is if you are a victim of abuse, one of the worst parts is if you feel it’s normal, or you deserve it, or that’s the best you’ll ever get. Seeing that other people think it’s wrong and you deserve better I can imagine would be a lifeline.

Maddyisqueen · 13/12/2025 21:20

sprigatito · 13/12/2025 21:00

When I was an abused child I really wished people would intervene and I remember each and every person who attempted to. Yes, I’d get it in the neck later, but that was happening anyway and it made so much difference that there were adults out there who found it horrifying. I had a very low opinion of the many adults who knew what was going on but chose to “mind their own business”.

Good to know

sprigatito · 13/12/2025 21:20

LadyKenya · 13/12/2025 21:16

That may be the case, that you had a low opion of those Adults that did nothing, but you admit, that it made things worse for you later on, when people did intervene. Sometimes saying something in the moment, could do more harm.

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Er, yes, I “admit” that it would be taken out on me later, but I also said that I yearned for people to intervene and despised those who knew and did nothing. You may not consider that a fair trade, but I did, and I think I’m better qualified to comment on what was best for me than you are.

Not all abused children will feel the same, and I’m not claiming to speak for everyone! Just sharing my experience.

Fends · 13/12/2025 21:21

RessicaJabbit · 13/12/2025 20:15

You'll probably have got the mother into trouble at home with him... Making him look bad.

If he hits his kid,a, and she minimises it... he probably does the same thing to her

So bloody what?

Maddyisqueen · 13/12/2025 21:21

LadyKenya · 13/12/2025 21:16

That may be the case, that you had a low opion of those Adults that did nothing, but you admit, that it made things worse for you later on, when people did intervene. Sometimes saying something in the moment, could do more harm.

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I think it would help with not having a lifeline of I’m getting battered because im wrong - thats what kids do to get through it - as the alternative is unthinkable (my parent isn’t safe)

Kibble19 · 13/12/2025 21:28

I’m not sure I really subscribe to this “it makes things worse later” thing. So what, do nothing and let these scumbags carry on?

If someone is abusing someone, they’ll do it regardless. They’ll always find a reason, an excuse, an opportunity.

Staying quiet and minding your own business changes nothing for the victim, but having the guts to stand up, might just alter their course.

Yes, you can report it to the police without confronting anyone.

Also, anyone giving it “it’s none of my business”, I hope you never comment how utterly terrible it is when you hear news of the latest murdered child at the hands of a family member; it’s people like you who help make things like that happen.

Look at any review of those cases - there are always missed opportunities to help, leading to the usual “lessons will be learned” shite.

Gardener82 · 13/12/2025 21:32

Kibble19 · 13/12/2025 21:28

I’m not sure I really subscribe to this “it makes things worse later” thing. So what, do nothing and let these scumbags carry on?

If someone is abusing someone, they’ll do it regardless. They’ll always find a reason, an excuse, an opportunity.

Staying quiet and minding your own business changes nothing for the victim, but having the guts to stand up, might just alter their course.

Yes, you can report it to the police without confronting anyone.

Also, anyone giving it “it’s none of my business”, I hope you never comment how utterly terrible it is when you hear news of the latest murdered child at the hands of a family member; it’s people like you who help make things like that happen.

Look at any review of those cases - there are always missed opportunities to help, leading to the usual “lessons will be learned” shite.

Agree, This piece of shit man may also be abusing his partner but this little boy has one mum, who isn’t helping him.
So we do what as a society.. Ignore his abuse Because calling it out makes it worse for the mum, she’s an adult, he is little more than a baby.

Kibble19 · 13/12/2025 21:37

Gardener82 · 13/12/2025 21:32

Agree, This piece of shit man may also be abusing his partner but this little boy has one mum, who isn’t helping him.
So we do what as a society.. Ignore his abuse Because calling it out makes it worse for the mum, she’s an adult, he is little more than a baby.

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And the assumption is always that she’s also a victim. In this case, it seems like she had no issue squaring up to the OP. Hardly the cowering victim.

labamba18 · 13/12/2025 21:40

If nothing else that poor child hears that it’s not right and that someone, somewhere stuck up for them. We should all speak out when we see this (and of course report it too)

MoodyMargaret11 · 13/12/2025 21:54

Gardener82 · 13/12/2025 21:02

I’ve reported a woman hitting a baby before. I called 999 and followed her whilst still on the phone so I could give an exact location. She knew I was doing this (kept shouting over her shoulder for me to fuck off) but I could have been subtle about it.

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That's brilliant @gardener82
So brave
Did you continue following till the police show up? And did they take it seriously?

MoodyMargaret11 · 13/12/2025 21:58

I will also add that child abuse like slapping is still fairly normalized in some cultures, hence the parents feeling comfortable to do it in public.

Joeylove88 · 13/12/2025 22:00

I know that many people's situations can be really complicated with abusive partners but I have never been able to understand how any mother (or father if vice versa) could honestly just watch their child get hurt physically or emotionally by the father and not immediately leave as soon as was safe to do so. My friend suffered DA from her partner for quite a while (unbeknown to anyone else) she stayed hoping he would eventually stop but the moment he directed abuse at one of their children she absolutely left with both kids and went straight to a women's refuge. This is also bearing in mind that she was living outside of the UK so needed to take it to court for permission to leave and come back home with her children so it was a nightmare situation for a while but none of this stopped her from leaving because she point blank refused to put her children at the brunt of any abuse. Well done for speaking up. Its a shame that mother clearly wont be leaving that vile man and protecting her child

Gardener82 · 13/12/2025 22:01

MoodyMargaret11 · 13/12/2025 21:54

That's brilliant @gardener82
So brave
Did you continue following till the police show up? And did they take it seriously?

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Yeah we all marched down the road together until the police arrived! The slap happened in a Tescos carpark so im
guessing the police collected cctv?
I don’t know what happened after, I never heard anything.
I reported it to social services too. It was a terrible thing to witness, the baby was probably about 6 months old and she slapped her so hard. I really hope she is somewhere safe now.