Would you help a hurt child out?

Would you help a hurt child out?

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Discussion

caelite

Original Poster:

4,273 posts

111 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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Possibly a bit of a silly query here.

I live in a big residential neighbourhood, next to a play park, was parking outside my house this evening when a kid, looked 8 or 9 was limping down the street in tears & seemed in a lot of pain, I asked them if they where OK, they said they had fallen off the monkey bars & had really hurt their leg, their friend had ran to get their mum. Knowing they where likely local I offered to run them home, they accepted, I ran them around the corner & watched them go in their front door.

Thought nothing of it, told my missus who seems to think it's something you just shouldn't do, stranger danger & all, at most you should offer to call their parents. Is she over thinking things, or was trying to help out really the wrong thing to do?

Humble Pi

8,842 posts

186 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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I definitely would not have.

valiant

10,068 posts

159 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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Think you did the right thing so long as you weren’t driving this,




Dave.

7,324 posts

252 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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OP earlier....



hehe

You're on the register now.

Peanut Gallery

2,418 posts

109 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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I would say you did the right thing, and having been on the receiving end, thank you!

(I came off my bike and knocked myself out)

caelite

Original Poster:

4,273 posts

111 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
quotequote all
valiant said:
Think you did the right thing so long as you weren’t driving this,

I was in my work Transit Custom, my livery is slightly different though.

I'm now being called a kiddy fiddler by my missus & her sister, this is what I get for trying to be helpful and community spirited. tongue out I'll splash them with puddle & drive on next time.

TheRainMaker

6,302 posts

241 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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100% the right thing, I would have done the same thing.

Petrol Only

1,592 posts

174 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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caelite said:
I'm now being called a kiddy fiddler by my missus & her sister, .
I know they are “joking”. But that’s exactly why a lot of men wouldn’t help!

SD_1

7,258 posts

157 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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Petrol Only said:
I know they are “joking”. But that’s exactly why a lot of men wouldn’t help!
This. There is no way in hell I would even contemplate putting a child I didn't know in my car and driving them anywhere. All it takes is one finger to be pointed or a passer by misinterpreting and you are in for a world of st.

I do think what OP did should be the right thing to do, it's a sad sign of the world we live in that we should question it.

IanJ9375

1,467 posts

215 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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It's an indictment on the times that you have to think this way!
We've been on the prom when a young girl cycled past us, she was within eyesight of her dad when she went over in front of us and became tangled up in the bike, I gestured to the OH to help her up despite her father being 40ft away it just felt like that would be the least chance of causing offence, little girl was fine, said thanks and cycled back to dad.

I think if it's a more serious situation then instincts kick in - hopefully rare and hopefully no one will be punished for genuine help

craig1912

3,273 posts

111 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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SD_1 said:
This. There is no way in hell I would even contemplate putting a child I didn't know in my car and driving them anywhere. All it takes is one finger to be pointed or a passer by misinterpreting and you are in for a world of st.

I do think what OP did should be the right thing to do, it's a sad sign of the world we live in that we should question it.
It is the right thing to do and you questioning it compounds the “non issue” Not sure why this is being questioned??

Integroo

11,574 posts

84 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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In a Transit, probably not...

bristolbaron

4,756 posts

211 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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It’s a question of minimising risk whilst providing help/support.
In OP’s situation I’d have done the same as him, but spoken to the parents after to advise the help I offered and why - I’m then not the ‘weirdo’ who’s van their child got into. A car would’ve eliminated the risk by having the kid in the back. Worst case, walking with the kid if you didn’t feel confident or offering to call parents to collect/check they’re okay with them being dropped off.
Leaving a hurt kid because you’re scared of being accused of something isn’t okay.

bigpriest

1,577 posts

129 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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Quick question to the child "do you have a number for someone I can contact for you?"

Zarco

17,705 posts

208 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
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You did the right thing.

caelite

Original Poster:

4,273 posts

111 months

Saturday 24th August 2019
quotequote all
bristolbaron said:
It’s a question of minimising risk whilst providing help/support.
In OP’s situation I’d have done the same as him, but spoken to the parents after to advise the help I offered and why - I’m then not the ‘weirdo’ who’s van their child got into. A car would’ve eliminated the risk by having the kid in the back. Worst case, walking with the kid if you didn’t feel confident or offering to call parents to collect/check they’re okay with them being dropped off.
Leaving a hurt kid because you’re scared of being accused of something isn’t okay.
Yeah that's fair, I do actually agree with my missus to a point actually, should've offered to phone their parents before running them around the corner, and yeah grabbing my car would've been wise in hindsight, I mean it is a liveried work van for a small local company, I don't know if that could be considered a positive or a negative but to me doesn't have the same connotations as a plain white Transit. I didn't actually have my phone on me at that point.

I do kind of worry they will phone my work actually, I am not a parent myself so I really don't know if the reaction would likely to be 'thanks for helping our son out' or 'how dare you put our child in your vehicle!'. You're right I probably should've walked him up the path & let them know

Edited by caelite on Sunday 25th August 00:17

T5SOR

1,991 posts

224 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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I would’ve carried the child home, as it seems more acceptable (in my head). I think you did the right thing though.

I would however feel differently if my children were getting in someone’s car that they didn’t know. Strange how my opinion changes, but you can’t be too careful.

KrazyIvan

4,341 posts

174 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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Help a hurt child, why wouldn't you? But than I am a parent and couldn't watch an I injured child struggle simply because some random stranger might think I am a pedo.

As for the police being involved, are you lot serious. What exactly are they going to charge you with....being a decent human being!

Tyre Smoke

23,018 posts

260 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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Prince Andrew wants your contact details now.


anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 25th August 2019
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During the child protection parts of my cycling coaching and cubs training, we’re explicitly told never get yourself in a position where allegations could be made, in a car alone with a child for example. Undoubtedly you did the right thing, it takes a really callous individual not to assist in some form but I would have walked with the kid to their home not driven them.

It’s sad that you have to think like this because kids really like adult company. When we were rock pooling last week I was telling my daughter what things in her net were, other kids heard and then kept bringing me things to identity.