i was just upstairs going to get a bagel for breakfast and i heard the distinct sound of skin hitting something. i round the corner to see a teen age girl had fallen. an adult male and a young boy (maybe 7 or 8) were standing next to her. i assumed they were her father and brother. i start to walk past this obviously tense scene when i hear a slap and the adult yelling. i turn to see the man in the boy's face, grabbing his arms and yelling. i also see 3 or 4 people walking by this scene. heart pounding (the guy was twice my size) i go over and calmly let him know that there are more appropriate way of disciplining a child. he tells me that he's tried everything else with the kid and this was the only way. so, i repeat. he seems to calm down a little and starts to walk off, but neither of the kids follows. he waits and says: are you comming or are you going to wait with the police? (i think the kid had wondered off earlier and had been found by security.) i waited while both kids decided what to do and just watched the father, my message being that you are watched and your behavior is wrong. they left the caffeteria and i got my bagel.
i was (and am) shaken by the incident. did i do the right thing? is something (even so small) better than nothing? did i potentially cause the kids more trouble? i felt empowered by my role as a social worker (even tho i'm not practicing one today), but so disapointed that other people (clearly some doctor students and nurses) did nothing. what's the matter here?
The New PostSecret Book
12 years ago
3 Comments:
there's a LOT the matter there. Shame on those doctor students and nurses. Did they never hear of MANDATED reporting??? you did the right thing. if for nothing else than he may rethink his future actions, and the kids heard loud and clear that HE was the one acting inappropriately at that time.
you are very brave my friend.
your strength, courage, and compassion are amazing and needed in this world of "it's none of my business." Yes, you did the right thing. I agree with lori in that i think you probably sent a very powerful message to the children and hopefully to the "man" they were with.
i love you.
of course you did the right thing. you acted from your heart with loving kindness --which can never be wrong. the question you probably mean is "did I do enough" --which only you can answer. did you do enough? is there ever enough? the question which we are all understanding is "did you do the best you could" --which we all know is an undoubtable yes. YOU always do the best you can which is always enough. and for that you are my hero.
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