This morning I was horrified to see a young girl of about 5 being physically battered by her father/step-father. As I walked to work I saw the young girl run down the pavement, her father/step-father quickly ran after her yelling at her. When he finally caught up with her he hit her to the ground, dragged her to her feet by her head and then shoved her in the back as he continued yelling. He gripped her arm ferociously and dragged her about, shaking her as if she were a rag doll before hitting her in the back of the head 2 or 3 more times. He dragged her across the road to where he brother was stood, silent as a mouse. I can understand why – fear probably.

I said to Rachel that I wanted to go across and tell him to leave her alone, but she pulled my hand back, fearing I may get attacked myself or worse even stabbed. These days you just never know what people carry on them. I stood across the road, in my head thinking that if he was to shove or punch her again then I was adament I would go across no matter what would happen to me. By now another couple who had been walking behind us had stopped in horror. The gentleman actually shouted across to the man who can only be described as an out of control monster.

The girl, her brother and father/step-father then went into the post office, he was probably going to collect his benefits judging by the state on him. We then just carried on to work.

Even now I feel tremendously guilty that I didn’t follow my heart and intervene. If that monster was prepared to beat the little girl so publicly, who knows what he does behind closed doors. I should have done something. Children are so small and fragile and don’t deserve to be subjected to such violence. People can put a stop to this kind of thing, if only they don’t shy away from it or ignore it claiming it’s not their problem. I feel like a coward.

If I could go back I’d have to say to Rachel, I’m sorry but I care too much about protecting children to just walk on by. Maybe it’s not my problem, it’s not my battle, but someone has to protect these children. How many more child deaths to we have to hear about on the news before someone stands up and gives a voice to these children too frightened to speak their minds.

For now I have to try and live with my guilt, I know it may sound overdramatic to some of you, but to me, I had a choice, and I made the wrong one in my opinion. I walked on by. Does that make me just as guilty? To allow it to continue.

I hope that there are people out there who aren’t cowards and will stand up to these bullies. I know if I were to encounter this kind of brutality again, I know what choice I’d make.

Until next time….

PS