Comments on: Make the Call

By: Sandra

Sandra — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 12:49:54 +0000

I really admire you for calling. I’ll never forget, years ago, when I was a teenager I heard a couple fighting just outside my window in an apartment complex. It escalated and I heard the woman scream “Please don’t rape me!” I went and woke my mom up and asked her to call the police but she wouldn’t. To this day I am haunted by what may have happened that night. We have to be brave enough to make the call…

By: Topaz

Topaz — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:45:23 +0000

It woke you up from across the courtyard? That’s some crazy fight. I would have called too. Forget about what caused the fight, that could lead to some serious damage. If not now, maybe the next fight. Your call also gives a way out before the abuse continues and worsens.

By: Nelfy

Nelfy — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 01:05:18 +0000

My girlfriend and I called the police last weekend on a couple in our house fighting very loudly at 1 am. There was lots of cursing and screaming and sounds of slamming doors/hitting walls – so even though we weren’t sure if we should, we only waited a minute or two before we did call the police. I haven’t been this scared in my life many times, I just knew that if the guy seriously hurt the woman and I didn’t call I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself not stepping in. I thought about going into the hallway where they were, but at 5 feet 4 and about 120 pounds, I didn’t want to get into an argument that already sounded physical. The cops came pretty fast and I believe both of them were taken to the station, at least both of them were cuffed. When I saw that I felt that it was the right thing to call the cops.

By: Kara

Kara — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:26:40 +0000

You definitely did the right thing Britni….god for you!!!! Kara XOXO

By: Eva

Eva — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:56:34 +0000

Yay for calling! I have made a call like that too, it took a bit of debating with myself as to if it would still be on when the police came, if it was “worth it”(!?), etc.. it was harder than I thought it would be! But better safe than sorry. People are too scared of intervening on what they perceive as personal couple’s stuff, as if it’s sacred. So people wait- to see what will happen so they have a proper reason for calling, but when it happens it’s already too late. The body can take a lot of violence – but the wrong fall or punch could be lethal. I’m sure a lot of murders that happen as a cause of domestic violence are unplanned, and “accidental”.
And even if lives aren’t in danger, arguments like that are symptomatic of unhealthy relationships, and hopefully getting the police involved can be a wake-up call for the victim in order to understand that what is happening is more than- and can not be excused as- normal passionate couple’s stuff, but is extreme enough for people to call the police.

By: Tragic

Tragic — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:01:51 +0000

You did the right thing. When my ex tried to kill me, I was able to get away just before the police arrived but there were seven other residents in my building who called the police and I told every one of them how much I appreciated their caring and kindness. My situation was at about the same time and sounded very similar to what you’ve described and then he started smashing things. I thank you, for her, and for all victims. After my own experience–I don’t even think twice anymore before I call it in.