We live in a quiet street, and residents tend to keep themselves to themselves. The neighbour opposite has always creeped me out. He is a vile man who stares at women like a piece of meat, and he talks to his wife with such verbal abuse in front of their kids that I feel horrified. Having rejected his sexual advances when I first moved here, he now shouts insults at me on the rare occasion that our paths cross. I just ignore him but he presents as a bully and oddball character of low intelligence who lashes out and has low control of his emotions.
Their children are abusive and aggressive to other children in the neighbourhood, and it is not surprising given what they must see and hear at home. I have heard them saying really awful stuff to their mother like 'I am not taking orders from no woman'...and you can only imagine they hear that from adults as these kids are definitely primary-school age. I always got the feeling from the various rows we could hear that there might be serious domestic violence going on between the couple, but it was infrequent as he works away some of the week. However, since lockdown the rows have escalated and the children are witnessing it...the whole street are witnessing it. Last night they had a screaming match in the street lasting one hour in front of their kids, and I can hear him telling her she is stupid and evil tonight as their windows are open.
From my professional background, I would say there are safeguarding issues for the wife and children. He is physically enormous and she is tiny so I can see how intimidating it must be locked up together. Normally I would report this to the police or social services, but in the Corona situation I have no idea how agencies are responding and if it would make matters worse for this family.
Looking for some advice...