Should we step in or steer clear?

JENNI MURRAY felt ashamed at not intervening when she saw one woman being sexually harassed on the Tube and another being subjected to violence in the street (Mail). I have twice intervened when a man was assaulting a woman. On the first occasion, I received a tirade from the victim for ‘poking my nose in’. The second time, the victim started whacking me with her handbag. My experiences have stopped me from trying to intervene in future. So, Jenni, don’t feel too ashamed.

STEVE WILLIAMS, Chipping Norton, Oxon.

WHILE driving on holiday, we saw a man hitting a young pregnant woman. My husband slammed on the brakes and we leapt out, ran over and shouted for him to leave her alone. He ran back to their car and sped off. We offered to take the woman home but she declined and was adamant, so we returned to our car. A little further on, we spotted the man’s car in a lay-by, so we stopped and I made a show of writing down the registration. Once again, it sped off. In the town where we were staying, we reported the incident to a policeman. We were both in our 70s when this happened and our family were very worried when they heard, saying we could have been beaten up or worse. I replied, yes, and that girl could have been one of your daughters. I hope someone would do the same for them.

Mrs E. CARTER, yaxley, Cambs.

YEARS ago, while having a quiet pint, I witnessed a young woman being assaulted. She came into the pub and sat down beside a young man who started shouting at her, making her cry, then he stood up and slapped her around the head. I leapt to my feet and pulled him away. A fight ensued, during which he grabbed a chair and swung it at my face. The yob was later arrested and charged with assaulting me. Some weeks later, when he appeared in court, I was surprised to see the young girl sitting close by the man, who was found guilty and fined. As I left court, she spat at me for giving evidence against him. I vowed never to intervene again if I saw a woman being abused.

DAVID STUCKEy, Stevenage, herts.

UNLIKE Jenni Murray, I always intervene when I see women, children or animals being abused in public. The only drawback is the swollen head you get after congratulating yourself on what a brave, noble and wonderful person you are.

MOLLy GILLIGAN, London W14.

I USED to travel into London on the Tube and I was touched several times. When I looked behind to see who it was, the man would usually look the other way — but one day I decided to do something. I was wearing shoes with sharp heels, so I stepped back and the man yelped and swore. I turned round with a smile and said: ‘So sorry, did I hurt your foot? Perhaps next time you’ll keep your hand away from ladies’ bottoms.’ Everyone was looking at him, trying not to laugh. He couldn’t get off the Tube quick enough at the next stop.

ELENI GEORGIOU, London N21.