Do you think that doing or saying nothing when some is hurting someone else means that you support their behavior

i have jumped in many a time when I've seen men abuse a woman, or seen men or women abusing a child. But I'm just stupid enough and vindictive enough from being an abused kid myself that I can't bear to see anyone being abused. I don't even think about it. It's just who I am. Most people have no idea what to do, or they're afraid they'll get hurt. Are those people just as responsible. Well, no, I don't think so. There are far too many people who are apathetic about such things. They sit back and say 'isn't that a shame'. Yes, those kind of people make me angry. But I can't change them. There are two kinds of people in this type of situation, in any emergency. There are people who jump in without really thinking about it, and people who freeze or panic, who can't act. I happen to be one of the kind whop just jumps. Then I throw up later when I stop to think about what I've done and how badly I could have been hurt. It's not courage, it just happens without thinking. So no, while they may piss me off, I really can't say in all honesty, that people who don't act should be made to feel responsible. We may sincerely wish the world were different, and I expect some day it will be. But for now, it's just the way it is. You can't force people to act. Me, I deeply love women, and I refuse to stand by when someone is hurting a woman. It doesn't matter that I'm old and disabled, I'll still jump in and risk myself rather than see a man hurt a woman or a child. I also think legal penalties for abuse should be very very harsh. Like prison time. The courts take abuse much too lightly.

There are few absolutes in life. Sometimes one must intervene. Other times you have to let people fight their own battles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Kitty_Genovese

"doing nothing is SAME as supporting their behavior and that doing nothing makes you just as guilty of wrongdoing as the abuser."

I dont think it is the same. SInce, subjectively, people have reasons why they wont interfere. SAME is different from IT IS. 

Andy -- Yes, I believe the person who does nothing is as quilty as the person doing the abuse.  If they do not wish to get physical, they can at least call 911.

PGroot -- I remember the Murder of Kitty Genovese when it happened.  I still think about it.

I was watching something on TV today. A police officer was trying to wrestle a guy that seemed just entirely insanely violent. And a bunch of people were standing around watching. I just kept thinking to myself, what the hell is wrong with these people. Here's a cop who risks his life every day for them, and they can't give the dude a little help? It made me a little mad. I know me, I know I'm just stupid enough to jump right in. Been there done that. Probably do it again. I also know not many people are like me. But in a crowd of people, surely someone had some balls. All they had to do was help the cop get the dude on the ground and restrain him. Not that much. I really don't quite understand how people can watch something just happen and do nothing. Though, I do know that I've never been afraid of getting hurt of of dying, and most people are. I guess that's what stops most people. Just being afraid of getting hurt or killed. But you know, I think there's no greater thing than to give your life in aid of another. Call me an idiot, but I've spent my life helping people, one way or another. I just have never felt any better way to live my life.