DS just witnessed attack - need to deal with it well

[sixlostmonkeys]

DS aged 11 has just spent the weekend with 2 friends of mine. It's rare ds gets to spend time with other people (I'm on my own and don't have a big family) he loves staying at my friends.
My friend has just phoned me to tell me that while ds and her partner were out on bikes on a bike track a bloke punched her partner (someone who he fell out with so many years ago he didn't even recognise him)
We are so angry that this bloke, not only punched him but did it in front of a child when there was no one else around.

My BIG concern now is how ds will react to this incident. He already lacks confidence in going outside our garden due to a dreadful family who used to live around here. he has been very unsettled recently with all the terrible news of teen knife attacks and now I worry that he may feel his concerns are justified.

If anyone can throw any suggestions at me on what to say/ how to deal with it when he comes home in an hour or so I would be grateful.
I have already discussed with friend that we will have him go over and stay and go out asap with my friends again to prevent him dwelling on it - get him back in the saddle so to speak.
Any other advice greatly appreciated.

do you know how your friends partner dealt with it?
Could be a very good lesson for your DS in how a man can react non vilolently when provoked like that (assuming he did of course) as it's not somethimg many boys have the chance to see. Maybe something your DP (if you have one, and is male) could talk through with him.
He needs to see that it's scary, but dealable with, is my feeling. And that it is unusual.

Your way of dealing with it sounds good.

So sorry he and you have to deal with this.

He didn't react as he was shocked and also so very very aware that my DS was there.
they went home and are now playing board games and chatting - despite him having a bust nose, lip and ear.
I don't have a partner so need to make sure I give a good balanced reaction to it.

Is there any chance of your friend calling the police and having this man charged with assault? Because that would be the best thing for your son, to see that this kind of behaviour does not go unpunished.

Yes, good idea

Is there any chance of affording self defence classes for your DS too? Some sort of martial art so he can feel like he has something up his sleeve to protect himself? Would help his confidence too.

I think getting the police involved, if your friend would is a good idea and just talk about it if and when your DS needs/wants to