Bystanders

I have recently reconnected with members of my family. Whether this is good or bad only time will tell but it has made me think a lot about the issue of bystanders.

A Bystander is defined as a close observer. My family were bystanders to the abuse that was going on in my childhood home but did little to nothing about. I have began to look at myself: When have I been a bystander to violence and did nothing about it?

Last August there was a story, where a woman was sexual assaulted in a hallway for approximately 90 minutes. At least 10 people walked past or peeked out, she also banged on a door for help. No one helped her.

I believe that we have to be "our brother's keeper," that we have a responsibility as human beings to look at for one another. I'm not saying that we put ourselves in a dangerous situation, but in the above mentioned story, any one of those people who were bystanders could have called 911.

I know that I will no longer be the bystander.

Carly

For info on Violence Against Women & Bystanders