Not really a feminist thread..

[GeekCool]

but where to put it?
Last night, in front of my house, a full scale fight errupted following a certain derby match in Glasgow.
I saw someone hack at someone else with a sodding meat cleaver and another trying to attack with a fucking samarui sword.

It's really affected me. I feel really quite vulnerable. We don't know our neighbours - we are aware of the reputation of the area - but I never expected to see this right in front of my window.

My DH goes away this Friday for 4 days, I feel like I've lost my oomph as a woman if that makes sense. Sorry this is rambly, but I was seriously scared. OK, we were safe inside but still, right outside my window. :(

GeekCool what an awful thing to witness no wonder it has affected you. I used to live in Glasgow, it is a great place to live in many ways but also steeped in violence and poverty. The stupid football culture does nothing to help.

I'm sorry you are feeling this way. Keep posting and we will try to help, this section is very supportive.

Thank you so much for the thread link!

I think it just makes me feel vulnerable. The guy with the cleaver - who hacked at someones back ffs - lives diagonally across from us. There were children trapped in a garden across the road (not my son, he is too young to play out, but we wouldn't let him round her anyway).
I just think WHO DOES THAT?

Maybe because it is right on my doorstep is why I'm freaked out so much.

Thanks for letting me ramble here, it's even good just to let it out.

Sweetheart, I am so sorry you experienced this. :( it is incredibly frightening and this absolutely a feminist issue because you need support.

I would be very nervous too. That's a natural and understandable reaction .

We are here to listen if and when you need us.

Thank you :)

I did call the police when I saw the weapons. I didn't want to but I did want to. Obviously when people are willing to attack like that it's scary to be the one calling, but afaik most ran when they arrived and no one was arrested so I don't think the police will come and speak to us.

I don't want my house firebombed. Sounds dramatic doesn't it?

Nope. I live in a similar environment and I very rarely give my name or address to the 999 operator. You had to call the police but that doesn't mean you shouldn't protect yourself doing it.

Thing is I know they could trace the number etc, but I would honestly have to say I didn't know who is who etc. And I HATE that.

Celtic still have to win the league.
There is still another Old Firm game.

Worst is, we stayed specifically to keep away from trouble and it lands on our doorstep. I knew people in the area had a rep. It's the weapons that shocked me, but I couldn't live with allowing it to continue and possibly someone being killed, whilst I did nothing. I don't want to teach my son that iyswim.

If this happens repeatedly, best thing to do is keep a camera by the window and be ready to record whatever happens in as much detail as you can. If your neighbour flashes a weapon around, get some proof of it.

If the people who designed the 999 system are remotely competent, they will have built in automatic caller identification and correlation with an address. Even a mobile gives some useful location information, as Murdoch's journalists know very well.

In my experience, the police are very careful about further interviews with people in the area because they are well-aware of how frightened people are about reporting.

I wouldn't worry about that right now though.

You need to focus on yourself.

Ok so DH goes away friday to Monday this week. DS is going to his Gran's on Saturday til Sunday. It will be me and him in the house by ourselves Friday and Sunday night :(

Agh I hate this. I am not fearful normally.

I think being fearful right now is a rational response.

Can you plan a movie and pizza night with your DS for Friday night? Give yourself something positive to look forward to. Can you afford to buy a new film for this?

On Sunday, can you meet sone friends for brunch? Or plan to spend the day at the Kelvingrove (or whatever it is you love. I love the Kelvingrove). Again something positive to look forward too.

Yeah that's a good idea. I have a friend coming over Saturday to Sunday - hence ds having a sleepover at Gran's so we can have a girly night without responsibility.
I suppose I'll just shut all the curtains etc and block everything out.

I do keep telling myself that the day I don't react with abject horror to something like that is the day I need to look at myself.

I think because I don't know those involved, I feel like I'm jumping on a bandwagon as such, it's just the mental images have stayed.

Thank you for talking with me though, it helps a lot.

The mental images take a while to process but talking about it should help. Also, you did do something brave and constructive despite being very frightened. That's something that should make you proud and powerful.:)

This is what feminism is all about: women supporting women.

Thank you so much for yesterday, I slept better last night.
The weirdest thing was going home and seeing those involved sitting out enjoying the sun, like nothing ever happened. Or that's what it looked like.

It's a different mentality I suppose.

But really, Thank You

I'm so glad you managed to get some sleep last night. :)

And no need to thank us. This is what the feminist section is for.

Hope you're feeling a bit better about things today GeekCool. What a horrible thing to happen, not surprised it's shaken you up and good for you for calling the police. That, at least defused the situation, even if the perpetrators weren't actually caught.

I remember when someone put a brick through our window one night when my XP was away and how incredibly vulnerable I felt. I would have felt bad about it if he'd been in at the time, but it was a lot worse because I was on my own. I know where you're coming from.

Solidarity vibes, I hope there isn't any more trouble near your house.

Happy to report all is calm and quiet, although I still can't believe people can just carry on as normal after attacking someone :/

It's a coping mechanism. It's horrible though; really, really horrible. :(

How are you feeling?

I feel much better thanks. No contact from police so hopefully that means I have no further involvement which is a relief. Each day I'm less flipped about it which is good, and feel more like me.
Still locking all doors as soon as I get in (which drives DH nuts if he can't find the keys quickly but he understands.

I'm just looking forward to hopefully moving away this year if we can sell our house (hahahahaha) and DS starting school in August