I take the bus to and from work every day. There is a mentally ill character who meanders about my bus stop on my way home from work. This individual will walk up to women and extend his hand for a friendly handshake. These women will extend their hand to shake (usually as a habitual reaction to someone extending their hand to shake). The mentally ill individual will then pull the woman in for a hug while simultaneously placing the woman’s hand on his crotch.
I have seen this happen twice. The first time I saw it I thought the mentally ill person and the woman knew each other could not see the part about the crotch. The second time I observed this person (Monday, Dec 2) I immediately stepped forward and told the mentally ill man to leave the girl alone. The man turned and walked (almost ran) away from me and the woman he had approached. I took this to mean that this individual knows that what he is doing is wrong, but it could be that he was frightened by me (I am 6'5", well built, and wear a thick black leather jacket in the winter).
I spoke with several people, including my girlfriend about this individual. The general consensus is that this mentally ill individual is, under the definition of the law, sexually assaulting his victims and I was right in stepping in to assist the last victim. What I could use advice on is how to proceed if/when I encounter this individual again.
All sexual assault is bad but I am concerned he could pull this on a teenage girl. Do I call the police? Do I follow him next time he runs to ensure the police can find him? Can I, as the witness to a sexual assault, actually do anything if the victim elects not to press charges or get involved in a legal battle with a mentally ill person? (these victims are women just going about their day who are certainly creeped out by the guy placing their hands on his crotch but generally just want to put the incident behind them, get home, and carry on with their life after a work day) Do I tell the local police to be on the lookout for the mentally ill man around my bus stop?
I am looking for honest feedback. “Beat his ass” feedback will be ignored. I am a 35-year-old working professional and I often have a laptop on me while on my way home from work. Physical altercations with a completely unpredictable mentally ill person are simply not something I’m going to initiate unless in defense of myself or someone else.
It's always a good idea to call the police about these things. He may only be groping them now, but that could always escalate. If it has raised a red flag for you, it's important. I hope your state has a good mental health program for this guy to get placed into, because if he is ill he really doesn't deserve to go to jail, he needs to be put into a program.
All sexual assault is bad but I am concerned he could pull this on a teenage girl. Do I call the police? Do I follow him next time he runs to ensure the police can find him? Can I, as the witness to a sexual assault, actually do anything if the victim elects not to press charges or get involved in a legal battle with a mentally ill person? (these victims are women just going about their day who are certainly creeped out by the guy placing their hands on his crotch but generally just want to put the incident behind them, get home, and carry on with their life after a work day) Do I tell the local police to be on the lookout for the mentally ill man around my bus stop?
I know from your description your physique sounds rather intimidating, but you should never put yourself in harm’s away when it comes to reporting or witnessing a criminal activity. Unless if you’re a police officer or have greater or equivalent authority then I do not recommend following him if he runs. You never know what a person -- mentally ill or not -- is capable of doing.
I’m sure there’s a way to report a description of the suspect to the local authorities so they are aware of his activities. Before you call the police, offer the victim your supporting testimony and see if they want to call the police. If they want to report it, then you can give your side of the story. If not, then you did your civil duty and offered to help another person.
You can’t be Batman but you can be a good citizen.
Do I follow him next time he runs to ensure the police can find him? Can I, as the witness to a sexual assault, actually do anything if the victim elects not to press charges or get involved in a legal battle with a mentally ill person? ... Do I tell the local police to be on the lookout for the mentally ill man around my bus stop?
Do not follow.
Call the police, notify them.
You can report, but you can't file on someone else's behalf. They can choose not to press charges.
Yes, notify any parties involved - as in public bus system. They might have something in place to deal with this.
As someone who's brother is mentally handicapped, and whose brother pulled something similar once...
Notify the police. Not only is it the safest thing to do, they are the ones who will be able to find out 1) who this persons caretaker is, 2) where they live, and 3) if this is routine behavior for the individual or something new to worry about.
My brother was fortunate in some ways, in that he did it at school when there were tons of witnesses *and* his special ed class teacher was around to handle the situation. What my brother did was grab a random girl in the hallway and kiss her. What happened afterwards involved him sitting in a police car, getting lectured, and learning his lesson. He is fortunate neither the girl, nor her parents, wanted to do anything more than make sure he knew what he did was wrong and wouldn't do it again.
If calling the police doesn't do anything, the other thing you can do is call social services. But, that's what the police *should* do anyway. The police will have at least one person trained to handle this type of situation.
I would be careful about how you proceed because it sounds like you want to do something and being a bigger guy is a part of your character to be a protector.
If you find yourself in a the same situation, stay hand offs. IF you do feel that need to intervene, look at the mentally ill person as you would a "drunk family member" Keep your feelings in check. Navigate the course that shows respect for everyone.
I appreciate everyone's input thus far. I think my game plan is, if I encounter this person again and he assaults another woman I will intervene as I did before with a simple "leave her alone". That worked before and I'm pretty sure it will work again.
I may try and get my camera phone out, photograph this individual, and then try and find a police officer and explain what I saw with the photo of this person as a description.
I appreciate everyone's input thus far. I think my game plan is, if I encounter this person again and he assaults another woman I will intervene as I did before with a simple "leave her alone". That worked before and I'm pretty sure it will work again.
I may try and get my camera phone out, photograph this individual, and then try and find a police officer and explain what I saw with the photo of this person as a description.
No need to even wait. Sometimes an FYI is sufficient; be proactive.
There is only one solution as I see it. You would have to dress up as a woman and when he goes in for the ol' handshake and sexual assault, you stop him and lecture him on how this is dangerous and wrong.
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Hi I'm Infecter4life and ironically I only play GBx decks.
It's well and good to be assertive and pontificate as to how his conduct is inappropriate, but you're probably much better off if you simply notify the police and encourage people to come forward to report the person as witnesses or victims.
People who are unwell, you never really do know what's going with them. Play it safe and don't be a hero.
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I have seen this happen twice. The first time I saw it I thought the mentally ill person and the woman knew each other could not see the part about the crotch. The second time I observed this person (Monday, Dec 2) I immediately stepped forward and told the mentally ill man to leave the girl alone. The man turned and walked (almost ran) away from me and the woman he had approached. I took this to mean that this individual knows that what he is doing is wrong, but it could be that he was frightened by me (I am 6'5", well built, and wear a thick black leather jacket in the winter).
I spoke with several people, including my girlfriend about this individual. The general consensus is that this mentally ill individual is, under the definition of the law, sexually assaulting his victims and I was right in stepping in to assist the last victim. What I could use advice on is how to proceed if/when I encounter this individual again.
All sexual assault is bad but I am concerned he could pull this on a teenage girl. Do I call the police? Do I follow him next time he runs to ensure the police can find him? Can I, as the witness to a sexual assault, actually do anything if the victim elects not to press charges or get involved in a legal battle with a mentally ill person? (these victims are women just going about their day who are certainly creeped out by the guy placing their hands on his crotch but generally just want to put the incident behind them, get home, and carry on with their life after a work day) Do I tell the local police to be on the lookout for the mentally ill man around my bus stop?
I am looking for honest feedback. “Beat his ass” feedback will be ignored. I am a 35-year-old working professional and I often have a laptop on me while on my way home from work. Physical altercations with a completely unpredictable mentally ill person are simply not something I’m going to initiate unless in defense of myself or someone else.
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I know from your description your physique sounds rather intimidating, but you should never put yourself in harm’s away when it comes to reporting or witnessing a criminal activity. Unless if you’re a police officer or have greater or equivalent authority then I do not recommend following him if he runs. You never know what a person -- mentally ill or not -- is capable of doing.
I’m sure there’s a way to report a description of the suspect to the local authorities so they are aware of his activities. Before you call the police, offer the victim your supporting testimony and see if they want to call the police. If they want to report it, then you can give your side of the story. If not, then you did your civil duty and offered to help another person.
You can’t be Batman but you can be a good citizen.
Do not follow.
Call the police, notify them.
You can report, but you can't file on someone else's behalf. They can choose not to press charges.
Yes, notify any parties involved - as in public bus system. They might have something in place to deal with this.
I buy HP and Damaged cards!
Only EDH:
Sigarda, Host of Herons: Enchantress' Enchantments
Jenara, Asura of War: ETB Value Town
Purphoros, God of the Forge: Global Punishment
Xenagos, God of Revels: Ramp, Sneak, & Heavy Hitters
Ghave, Guru of Spores: Dies_to_Doom_Blade's stax list
Edric, Spymaster of Trest: Donald's list
Notify the police. Not only is it the safest thing to do, they are the ones who will be able to find out 1) who this persons caretaker is, 2) where they live, and 3) if this is routine behavior for the individual or something new to worry about.
My brother was fortunate in some ways, in that he did it at school when there were tons of witnesses *and* his special ed class teacher was around to handle the situation. What my brother did was grab a random girl in the hallway and kiss her. What happened afterwards involved him sitting in a police car, getting lectured, and learning his lesson. He is fortunate neither the girl, nor her parents, wanted to do anything more than make sure he knew what he did was wrong and wouldn't do it again.
If calling the police doesn't do anything, the other thing you can do is call social services. But, that's what the police *should* do anyway. The police will have at least one person trained to handle this type of situation.
If you find yourself in a the same situation, stay hand offs. IF you do feel that need to intervene, look at the mentally ill person as you would a "drunk family member" Keep your feelings in check. Navigate the course that shows respect for everyone.
I may try and get my camera phone out, photograph this individual, and then try and find a police officer and explain what I saw with the photo of this person as a description.
No need to even wait. Sometimes an FYI is sufficient; be proactive.
I buy HP and Damaged cards!
Only EDH:
Sigarda, Host of Herons: Enchantress' Enchantments
Jenara, Asura of War: ETB Value Town
Purphoros, God of the Forge: Global Punishment
Xenagos, God of Revels: Ramp, Sneak, & Heavy Hitters
Ghave, Guru of Spores: Dies_to_Doom_Blade's stax list
Edric, Spymaster of Trest: Donald's list
People who are unwell, you never really do know what's going with them. Play it safe and don't be a hero.