mELdOURADOsELVAGEM said:

Shouldn't these people have been more concerned that she was raped than if her vitals were ok?

Couple of things:

Calling 911 was the right thing to do.

I'd encourage you, and whoever, to read Malcolm Gladwell's newest book, Talking To Strangers. He talks about how we don't know what people are feeling or thinking, and it's dangerous to assume that someone is uncaring or unremorseful because they lack the outward expression. He talks about Bernie Madoff, Amanda Knox, Sandra Bland, Jerry Sandusky, and others. It's described as, "It challenges the assumptions we are programmed to make when encountering strangers and the potentially dangerous consequences of misreading people we don't know."

So I'm saying that just because "these people" didn't outwardly express the outrage you felt inside doesn't mean they're complicit in this woman's abuse or remain unconcerned about it. Folks handle trauma and anxiety differently (eg: the woman walking around w/ her breast hanging out), and not everyone is a raving lunatic when getting bad news. That's a media construct, not how people really act. It's damaging to everyone to assume someone has to act out to be upset. Anxiety and trauma affects people differently, so projecting feelings onto another and expecting them to perform outwardly is unreasonable. It doesn't take away from the level of concern by anyone, obviously.

At that moment, the mother was just trying to get her daughter safe. The EMTs etc were doing their job. They're trained to remain calm and stay coherent.

Sounds like a bad situation that girl is in, kudos to you for stepping in and doing something.

I guess i can understand the frustration of the mother, especially if that's what's been going on for 2 years. People with schizophrenia are a handful as is, but if you have someone who doesn't want to take their meds, it just makes an already tough situation even worse. The girl sounds like she needs to be in an institution, but as she's 18, I don't think they can really put her there unless she wants to go or unless she's harmed herself or others. Not 100% sure though.

mELdOURADOsELVAGEM said:

onlyforaminute said:

Honestly, there are no systems available to stop adults from doing exactly what they want to do with their own bodies or money no matter how horrific it may seem to anyone else. Obviously up to a point. That's the price of freedom they tell me. I've seen a few drugged out women taking their clothes off in the middle of the street. The police only get involved when their behavior obstructs other people. Mental institution get crowded and have to release those who aren't dangerous to others often right on to the street. Im learning that if people don't have family to look out for them a lot of these people get lost and screwed and just end up dead somewhere.

Yes, unfortunately, that's the bitter truth.

bless you for taking the time to help a person in distress.

Sounds like a bad situation that girl is in, kudos to you for stepping in and doing something.

I guess i can understand the frustration of the mother, especially if that's what's been going on for 2 years. People with schizophrenia are a handful as is, but if you have someone who doesn't want to take their meds, it just makes an already tough situation even worse. The girl sounds like she needs to be in an institution, but as she's 18, I don't think they can really put her there unless she wants to go or unless she's harmed herself or others. Not 100% sure though.