Normal 'Adult' Police Process: Under normal circumstances of policing and interviewing, whether you are the one who is alleged to have transgressed in some way, or you are the 'victim' of a crime, the police have to stay relatively impartial. This does not mean that they have to be rude, insensitive, judgmental. The fact is, though, individual officers will behave inappropriately. Individual officer have their own issues and problems. If you respond badly then they get what they are seeking. Grounds on which they feel justified to continue to treat you inappropriately. Don't let these 'unprofessional' officer get to you. Just note the behaviour and report it. Women who have suffered physical &/or sexual assault, have much better treatment these days but there is still a need for police officer to check the facts. Rape victims are often treated as 'Vulnerable', as described above. All children below 16 and some adolescents up to about 19, with special needs, at treated as 'Vulnerable' also. Adult Males do not have such a good deal. This is largely due to cynicism concerning the behaviour of Adult Males. Unless you are elderly and frail, have an obvious disability, or clearly have what is understood to be a 'no fault' type problem; your treatment is likely to be less sympathetic. Its a Man thing. If you had been drinking, or present as 'angry' (even where you are the 'victim' of crime) you may be judged as aggressive. You may not feel you are being aggressive. This is how it may be perceived by the untrained. Your anger may be entirely justified and appropriate to what has happened to you, including how the police have (or have not) responded. If you are (were) being 'aggressive and threatening', once you were away from the original danger, then I can have little sympathy. If you were angry because of an assault and then angry with the police for not dealing with you respectfully and promptly, that I can support anger. Some Police officers, and other Officials, including Care Professionals, need better training and basic insight in recognising the different forms that anger can come in. Not just paint everyone who speaks in a particular way, or has 'attitude' as the same 'colour'. Everyone has a right to be 'righteously angry' at times, for themselves and for others (and often both). Martin Luther King was, Ghandi was, J F Kennedy, Christ was, for Christ sake (and everybody else's). Other great pacifists and seekers of peace & justice, from various political and religious backgrounds, have been righteously angry at times. Without it, not much would have changed. Sometimes, clever words on their own, don't get the attention of the more ignorant community leaders and officials. Anger breaks through excuses and the bullshit. That said, it should only be used to the point where the crack can be seen in the excuses. From then on, firm assertions and reasonable demands are adequate. These will be criticised also but don't justify the continued dismissal of the issues they highlight. Don't be put off by 'judgments' that may be made, by anyone (including from past experiences). Also, try not to be offended by genuine attempts to get to the 'facts'. There is a subtle difference in the actions of police & others, in these respects. Sometimes this separation of 'being judgmental' and 'getting to the facts', gets blurred. Assert yourself against judgmental attitudes but also answer any reasonable questions, (once asked non-judgmentally) honestly. Politely point out any judgmentally, or complain of this later, to higher authority. It is the only way to change attitudes. Mean while you will need to gain cooperation in seeking redress for the assault & various injuries, including 'social trauma'. Try to remember that, if we were being wrongfully accused, we would hope that the Police would check both sides of the story. We would just agree that this should be done sensitively and respectfully, as we now wish, in checking your circumstances. Getting at the facts should be sensitive and respectful process, whoever you are and whatever your 'past', race, creed, colour sex, size, or age. The assumption should be that you are reporting an incident where you were not culpable (to blame). this should remain the case, unless there is clear evidence to the contrary, or, a counter claim by the alleged assailant. They have right too, until the evidence proves otherwise by 'due process'. These injuries should therefore be assumed to be as a result of an unprovoked assault, or, an assault resulting from what is an ordinary disagreement, where the assault is a wholly disproportionate and unreasonable response to the situation. (ie: You had not 'physically engaged with them, without unreasonable provocation, other than in reasonable defence of yourself). Assault is assault, whoever it is done by and to whoever it is done, irrespective of race, sex, colour, size, age, or background. Big boys do not have to put up with assaults from little women and big girls are entitled not to be assaulted by little men. We know that Officials and Leader don't always understand that, never mind the 'logical' reason why this should be the case, for the good of all. We do and we will explain, painstakingly, for as long as it takes, till the changes are made to attitudes. This is largely what the Website is about: Checks and Balances; Alternative Perspectives; Active Justice; Contexts of Actions; Correction of Prejudice & Bias; True, Informed Choices; and may other wonderful concepts that are inadequately applied in good practice. All based upon the simple principles of 'Human Rights'.  This page is in the stage of preparation.
There are some links on the right that may be helpful: | NOTE:This Document is still at some stage of development. You are invited to respond and comment on its content and its logic. If you return to the document at a future date, you will be able to see its continued development, hopefully reflecting your own and others commentary. I thank you, in advance, for any contribution that you make. Please also feel free to visit and contribute, in any valid way, to these and other social issues, through our Forums. There is also a Chat Room and protected Chat Space for more serious group discussions and individual counselling. Please feel free o use this space for your legitimate activities. Copyright: Although you will see very few reference to other formal writings in this document, I acknowledge general recognition to the discussions and debates that I have had with students, practitioners and clients over the years. Most of the ideas and theory has evolved through this rather pragmatic process (operational research), rather than any formal reading. If any content of this document describes concepts, theory, or ideas that have been established else where, (prior to my writing, either here or else where - in part or in full), I acknowledge their entitlement to claim them as their intellectual property for financial purposes, if they can evidence this. I also reserve the right to retain them as my intellectual property, with due recognition to those who have made direct contributions, including other writers, should I identify such a past influences. Other than this, I invite you to share and copy any content, to the benefit of intellectual debate and the benefit of individuals and groups, without restriction, other than it be used for constructive purpose, in the wider context of my writing. Should you wish to use any material presented here 'as is', I ask that you then make reference to myself and the web site. The 'Reading Date' would be a useful 'publishing date' for the Current Edition. 1980 is the core publishing date for most of the basic ideas and theory (unless stated otherwise). This 'Reading Date' may be an important part of this 'reference', as the document (by its 'internet fluid' nature) will be constantly changing and this may affect meaning and interpretation, for those following up on such a reference at a later date. Thank you for your cooperation. TRC. eMail: terry.couchman@visitweb.org |
