Silence or Action: My Honest Thoughts on Watching Someone Get Assaulted

This question really made me pause and think deeply. It's not as simple as it sounds, and honestly, that's what makes it such an interesting topic. When I first saw it, I was confused about which side to pick — not because I don't care, but because situations like this aren't always black and white. In moments like these, you don’t just think about the person being assaulted. You also have to think about yourself — your safety, your future, and what could go wrong if you act impulsively.

To be real, my response would depend entirely on the situation. If the person being assaulted is under attack by ordinary individuals or maybe being robbed or beaten up by a group, I might be able to step in or at least get help from people around or even report the case to the right authorities. But when it involves the police — especially in a country like mine, Nigeria — it's a lot more complicated. We’ve seen way too many cases where someone tries to help during a police situation and ends up being arrested or even assaulted themselves. That’s not fear talking — that’s reality.

So, if I saw someone on the street being assaulted by the police, I probably wouldn’t go directly to the scene. That might sound selfish, but honestly, approaching police officers during such tense moments could put me in serious trouble, and I might end up needing help myself. But that doesn’t mean I’d ignore the situation completely. If I can, I would try to raise an alarm or alert other people nearby to get attention. I could also try to record the incident from a safe distance or even call someone who might be able to help. In moments like that, every little action counts — even if it’s not physically stepping in.

I believe no one deserves to be assaulted in the street or even anywhere at all especially if they are not proven guilty. Even if someone has done something wrong, violence shouldn't be the punishment. We have courts and legal systems for a reason.

Watching someone being assaulted to the point of death would honestly haunt me. That person could be someone’s brother, sister, or parent. They’re a human being, just like me. If I can help in any small way, I believe it’s the right thing to do.

In fact, knowing that I helped someone in such a life-threatening moment would give me a strong sense of fulfillment. It would feel like I made a difference — like I saved a life or at least gave someone a second chance. I don’t have to be a hero or wear a cape. Sometimes, just caring enough to do something instead of nothing is what really matters.

So, no — I wouldn't just walk past. I may not run into the middle of the chaos, but I would do what I can. Because silence in the face of injustice makes us part of the problem. And that’s not the kind of person I want to be.

Thanks for reading.

Posted Using INLEO