So my son and I got to watch the horrific display this morning of a man brutally beating his wife in the face, in public, to the point of blood.  He was able to witness me attempt to lend assistance, and call 911 and all that bs.  He watched as we waited, and waited, and no police showed up, the loser and his poor wife and child left the area.  I was able to express to him that not only were police typically slow to respond to 911 calls, (if at all), but that there wasn’t much that could be done.  I explained that even if we offered that woman and her child a room in our home, they more than likely would not take it. It’s a sad reality, and one that is worth some thought.

So what is the solution.  Well, it’s multifaceted.  There needs to be following-
1. Availability of assistance to the victims.
2. Protection
3. Punishment / Elimination of real threats to society
4. Fast response
5. Fairness and legitimacy.

That does not exist.  It should, but it just does not.  Between the human trafficking victims and domestic abuse victims, it is astonishing the amount of people who spend their lives as punching bags or worse.  What’s really sad is the fact that many women who have an out, choose not to take it.  That aside, I think it’s our responsibility to make it available to them, regardless.

Well, we now have the internet.  We have a community of hackers, who love to use their skills to protect the innocent and helpless.  We have people, like myself, who would love nothing more than to go all Dexter Morgan on the guy who could treat his wife like a punching bag, right in front of his kid.  By the same token, we have hatred for the woman who could file false charges against a good guy, simply because she wants a better divorce outcome.  Most importantly, we have a citizenry, that may be largely taken in by fast talking politicians and televised nonsense, but one that still would gladly notice domestic violence and look out for it’s victims.

So what is the solution?  The solution is someone setting up local independent networks of all anonymous contributors who are willing to chip in and resist the status quo.  Information and connection would be tiered. At the lowest level, neighbors could simply watch out for each other and make observations.  That information would be passed on anonymously to users who were prepared to lend assistance.  Any service could be included, from legal or financial service to support services like a temporary place to live.  The key is that the orchestrator would be the local hacker.  Largely unaccountable and untraceable by local law enforcement, or more importantly, by those who would seek to gain access to the system and seek out a victim.  The community effort, based largely on actual observances of others, will naturally be more reliable than the current, “legal” system, where a phone call can result in the unjustified ruination of a persons good name.

This doesn’t need to be a completely vigilante organization.  The police could be included by providing them with tips and information. The use of hidden cameras and investigative work, could easily provide solid evidence against culprits.  It’s simply a matter of the coordination and working as a group.  This is something I have covered with many solutions.  The internet community is a tool that needs to be used as much as possible.

So yeah, this is part solution, part rant. The thought that gets me the most was not the striking or blood of that woman today.  It was the despair in her face as she sat and sobbed in the car.  It was the realization that she spends every day of her life under a stress level and a fear I cannot imagine.  We have so many advancements, conveniences and connections.  We need to be using them for real purpose and helping each other.  How can you use your technology to help others?  Forming such a group or developing a product to address it?  Count me in.