Have you ever been mugged or the victim of a physical assault

I was with a group of guys in artic Sweden and we were stopped at the border with Norway by some young Swedish soldiers, they cocked their automatic weapons and made us get down on the ground, in the snow.  I remember being in a state of shock, then a senior Swedish officer came running up in a panic and realised a situation with some real diplomatic possibilities was happening on his shift and got everything back to normal service.

My auntie ran a post office (on her own) for many years in a village in Derbyshire.  Over the years she was held up at gunpoint twice in her little post office and cleaned out.  She is a devout Christian and her faith has helped her forgive the little b*stards and recover from the traumas.  She is an amazing lady.

Lived in Africa for 7 years - got mugged 8 times, 3 of which involved being stabbed/cut with knives and once bashed with (the blunt side of) a machete! Apart from that, it was great fun........

I spent some time as a Street Pastor a few years ago and on one occasion 3 guys wandering through the town centre were jumped by some youths. Two of the guys went down hard, one bouncing off a shop window. Two of the team went racing towards things while myself and the coordinator were yelling at them to stop before they ended up in the middle of something and getting hurt.

On a separate occasion two of us were checking if a chap who was drunk and lying on the floor was ok. The guy started talking to us in Polish, I was closest to him and he suddenly lashed out and grabbed old of the necklace I was wearing. I didn't even think but grabbed at his hand, pried it open and took the necklace back. If he'd been slightly more sober I expect I'd have come off worse for wear.

seren nos wrote (see)

only ever physically assulted by one person.............unfortunately not much i can do about it and just hope it won't continue for too much longer.............sometimes there is no choice in these matters as to whether you fight back or not........

Seren, that sounds quite worrying...if it's continuning there must be a way to stop it...unless you mean a seriously ill relative who doesn't know what they're doing?

I've been attacked 3 times... once 2 guys jumped me from behind and pulled me to the ground and started to kick me.  No warning, no confrontation it happened very fast, and I managed to get to my feet and run.  Another time, me and 2 friends were surrounded by a group of teenagers and they took my cake.  I wasn't asaulted but my friends were.  The third time was a face to face mugging, and I fought back causing a lot of harm to the guy who attacked me.  I hate violence and am still ashamed that I reacted in that way.  Not a side to me that I like, and one I thought had gone a long time previously.

I'm 6ft 2ins 12.5stone. I don't go about with a mobile at my ear, don't go about with I.pod wires, don't wear jewellery (except Ironman watch) and don't use a mans' shoulderbag. I don't look a good target for an attacker.

A friend was waiting for a bus about three years ago when a crowd of young guys ran past and one lashed out with a single punch to his cheek. A lot of blood from the mouth and a loose tooth. He went to his dentist the next day and was immediately taken to hospital with a badly broken cheekbone that needed wired up. Never got back to work for 4/5 weeks. Look at the brawls you see in films and TV that end with barely a hair out of place! 

Stevie g/ wilkie.things are improving and hopefully will again.........but if a partner abuses you there are lots of help and support groups you can go to.............if your child does then there are none out there........I am lucky that things are improving and getting rarer and can see that it will probably stop one day........many parents are not in that position...........

Seren -a friend was in this situation. She took action before he became an adult in the eyes of the law and he spent a night in a cell. It stopped from then on.  I'm sure you have been given advice and don't presume it is that simple at all

Not good Seren...i'm not sure how old you are, but presuming the child is teens or even adult....so potentially very dangerous too...I'm sure if it got unmanagable you'd have to do what Madge says.

Martenkay...presumably you also look tough and not one to mess with, as 12.5 stone at 6ft 2 doesn't sound too stacked to me...

Seren Nos nobody is allowed to assault you without repercussions. Your own child can be a sensitive issue but............

If your own discipline has not worked something stronger can be like a freezing cold shower to a badly behaved youngster. If it does not bring anyone to their senses at least they know what to expect in future - Police. It is mistaken to think by reporting you are admitting you have failed. How will you feel if somebody else reports your child for assault? My niece caused dreadful problems for her family.

If your child has a medical problem that produces the violent action then you need to tell the doctor so that arrangements can be made for assessment.

Do you really think by taking action your child will love you less?

Stevie G . wrote (see)

Martenkay...presumably you also look tough and not one to mess with, as 12.5 stone at 6ft 2 doesn't sound too stacked to me...

Grrrrrrrrr!!!

When I was younger I went out with a group of lads to various pubs/clubs and experienced several assaults and dust ups. But never to me ever. Apparently by being only 1.65m tall and 58kg, if any yob wanted to show off to his mates by clobbering someone, if it was me they chose, they risked being made a laughing stock. The lads I was with weren,t so insignificant to avoid attention though.

calling in police at this situation would probably end a bad situation...........and would undo the years and years of work that have got us to the situation that noone outside is now ever attacked.................from a six year old that would attack anyone when anxiety levels rose......i have seen him attck headteacher,, support workers, charity childminding services,,,,,,elderely minister of the cloth and police men,,,,,,,,,,,when young..........so not like a normal child that knows when its sereious and time to stop............lots of work at home and a specialist school for 5 years has made such a major difference............

when things are so much better then its only one more step to go in the learning process.....and that is on its way..........

but its hard for anyone .................different stages ned sdifferent methods and diffrent specialist help........and each different problem needs a different answer....

I think instinct works when being attacked...............for those who have been attacked.............it must be a different response if you are attacked by a gang or an individual........if they are drunk.............wouldyou react different if attacked by a drunk bloke..........a drunk woman..by a frail drunk pensioner or by a 6 year old child................never one answer fits all

I second that, Schmunkee.

(((Seren))).

I have been threatened with a gun and I say partially stabbed with a knife lol

Propa gansta. Neither were really my fault. First time someone was looking for a mate of mine and was politely asking where he was. Second time, apparantly I looked like someone who stole some money from his house. Later police found petrol bombs made out of crisp packets and the knife he had a go at me with, he cut serrated edges out of it himself. He was later sectioned and I recieved a letter of apology Which was nice lol. What annoyed me most is that he spat on my wife so I did go a bit ape s""t on him

Assaulted a few times, but mugged just once, in a not so good part of Central London.  Two guys, one visible knife, so I gave them the dummy wallet and departed quickly.  Worst thing was in the interview with the police:  When I told them where I came from (I was studying in London at the time) the male of the pair remarked that I should be used to it! 

A dummy wallet?! You are a prepared victim!

Wetter is Better! wrote (see)

A dummy wallet?! You are a prepared victim!

I was prepared.    It's good advice for visitors to less highly regarded places.  Don't fight, give them what they want, and by the time they've found out it isn't what they want you hope to be long gone!