Would you protect an innocent person from attack, at the risk of getting sued or arrested?

If a person were to be under assault in my presence I would definitely help. Be it by standing up to the attacker, aiding the victim to escape harm or summoning for stronger help, I would definitely help. If in so doing I had to mace the attackers, split their head open with a rock, or stab them in the neck with a fountain pen, I would do what would have to be done to rescue the victim.

If this means that I would be sued or arrested, so be it. In my mind this is not radical vigilantism, this is reasonable force in defense of a human being. The flagrancy involved in the attack nullifies any qualms which I may have as to harming a person who is harming another.

I was assaulted once in Mexico City. It was broad daylight, people walked by and did nothing until a saint of a gentleman intervened by smacking one of my two attackers with some sort of wooden plank. With that, my attackers ran away and let me be.My hero was a 50-ish year old man, small in build compared to my attackers, but I am certain he saved me from being robbed, physically hurt and perhaps even worse.

I'd step in, unless it was illogical to do so. I'm 5"2 and average about 120 lbs if there's 5 guys attacking another girl the wise decision would be to get help not try to help as we'd both likely end up victims if I tried to help all on my own. If I thought I could take who ever was doing the assaulting (though small I did grow up with nothing but brothers lol) I'd help if not I'd get help.

No more. I once stopped an assault on someone, had to punch the guy to get him to stop and got arrested. Got a five hudred dollar fine and when I told the guy who I stopped from getting a beating he said he couldn't pay it-even over time.

The only way I would consider getting involved again is if it was a guy on a woman, then I'd beat his ass and run.

My personality would never allow me to just stand around and watch. I would have to intervene somehow. While I can agree that if someone has not been properly trained in restraint techniques they open themselves up for liability, but I suppose that is a risk I am willing to take.

If I were getting mugged, and there were bystanders that did nothing, I would be furious that they could stand by and allow this to happen. I would appeal any charges to the highest court. If we are arresting and charging innocent people that take it upon themselves to stop a violent crime, then we are damaging the value of defending those who are unable to defend themselves.

If I felt that my physical safety was largely at risk, I would be drawing as much attention, calling 911 and running for help. Doing anything is better than nothing. How did that crowd sleep at night, knowing they could have acted and chose not to?

Yes, I would. Walking by someone getting attacked and doing nothing is just as bad as the person causing harm to them. I think the law could be modified in such a case.

I think it depends if I knew the attackers or not. If I knew the attackers then I would yell at them and try to stop them. If I don't know them and the victim is a close friend or relative then I would certainly ask for help or if I bring with me something that could use to hurt them then I'd hit them maybe in the legs or feet just to neutralize the situation and I'd call the authorities.As a tax-paying citizen, I hope I have the right to protect life.

That is one stupid stupid law. As I'm not even in the physical condition of ever think getting involved will solve the problems instead of they turn their attention to me, I'd never think of interfering, not because of the law, but because I can't. What I can do in that situation is to dial 911 immediately and ask the driver to go to the nearest police station.

But if I am in the position to intervene while watching a bunch of people abusing a helpless girl, I don't think Ican ever stand and just watch. My conscience won't allow me to. I would do whatever I can to help, screw the consequences.

Even if I am put to jail, I would go there knowing that I did the right thing.

Maybe. For me, it's not about getting arrested or sued necessarily (I'd hope we'd be able to get all that figured out), but simply whether or not I have a chance of being successful in stopping it. I hate to say it, but I've witnessed a situation similar to the one you referenced (no women involved, for what it's worth).

I didn't intervene because there were too many of them and there was nothing I could do. I also had someone with me and her safety was my number one priority.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.