[Serious] Woman raped while onlookers did nothing

[The Valkyrie]

Okay, I've read through the whole thread, which was originally about people not intervening.

I think Brian37 originally pointed out a fact - people in groups do not usually stick their neck out or take responsibility.  They assume someone else will.  That's why when someone is in distress that you are helping, you don't say "someone call 911" -- it won't happen.  You have to actually tell some particular person to do it.

How hard can it be for people to have said - "I am calling 911" out loud to this guy?  If you make him feel afraid, he will get limp and try to get away.

The problem with the "I'd kick his ass" crowd is -- you're either full of shit, stupid, or you better have skills.  If you engage in physical violence with some stranger, you better be willing and able to put them down fast.  A fight such as that has no rules, and could easily get you killed.  You intend to brutally win, or you don't start it.

It is the same with a gun - you never pull one out unless you actually intend to kill someone with it.  That also means it must be legal to do so.  You don't wave guns around -- that will either get you shot, or arrested.

As a part of the ‘I’d kick his ass crowd’, I feel compelled to point out that I’m 6’4”, weigh 215, and I’m built like someone who played rugby union for 30 years (because I played rugby union for 30 years).

Boru

And I'm just under 5'6, am not particularly well built, but I've tackled a few people much larger than me in my time.