What would you do? That is the title of a ABC television show, it is a candid camera social experiment. Recently the show's creative people used a real diner and actors, in appropriate make up, to see what the general public's reaction would be to a woman being abused by her boyfriend.
In almost every scenario patrons of the diner intervened coming to the woman's defense either asking her to leave the restaurant with them or confronting the 'boyfriend.' And, those coming to her aid were of both sexes. It did not matter when the ABC changed the race of the actors from white to black the result was still the same.
In those variables the actresses were dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. But, when a third variable was introduced with the actresses wearing provocative clothing no one intervened. It seems some of the patrons of the diner were speculating as to whether or not the woman (the actress) was a prostitute.
Should that have made her any less deserving of someone coming to her aid? One in every four women will be the victim of domestic violence in her lifetime according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. That's 1.3 million women a year. But this crime is not limited to women, an Oregon study reported in every 100 cases of domestic violence 40 percent involved violence by women against men.
Last month was Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I never heard about that until researching information for this blog piece. Domestic violence should not happen to anybody. Ever. Period. And, it is everybody's business.
Most all of us carry a cell phone in today's world and it's use can be great weapon. Intervening in a public situation that leaves no doubt it is an abusive one, either threatening to call law enforcement or actually dialing 911 can put a stop to that particular incident and may even save a life.
Don't be an ostrich and stick your head in the sand, be proactive and offer assistance. But don't put yourself at risk. There is no risk in calling 911.
Do you have an old cell phone stuck in a drawer somewhere at home that has been deactivated? Dig it out and take it to an abused women's shelter or call them to make arrangements to pick it up. Even a cell phone that has been replaced and can no longer make regular calls can still call 911. Your local shelter and those they serve will appreciate having a lifeline.
That is a great idea, the donation of old cell phones. I will be doing this!
ReplyDeleteThe entire piece is as always, well thought out and provocative.
As a woman I have experienced violence, thank heaven in a situation from which I was able to remove myself. When I reported it to the police, I was not dressed provocatively. Nonetheless it was clear from the way I was treated, which was shabbily, that they thought I brought it on. It's no wonder so many women are reluctant to report abuse.