I need some advice. I'm especially lookin at
reggie_mbq here, but anyone with a cent or two to spare, feel free to comment.
I live in a two-flat building; moved in early last August. My neighbours are your average young couple, with a kid that was just born as I moved in.
Somewhere late September, October, I started to realise maybe things weren't quite that okay. They were loud, and I could frequently hear arguments and other assorted noise. I started to suspect there might be violence. Early December, I ran into her in the hallway. She looked like shit. Pale, frightened look on her face. She asked me if I could please call the cops if things got to bad, because "He doesn't know what he's doing when he's drunk."
Le sigh.
I'm afraid to call the cops. Firstly, because I have no idea what consitutes "too bad". Secondly, because "he doesn't know what he's doing when he's drunk" doesn't sound like she's going to press charges, and if she doesn't, he'll be back here the next morning, and the next time he gets drunk, he may very well decide to come after me. (We don't really get along as it is.)
I feel like shit for being such a coward, let me tell you. But at the same time I'm thinking, she hsa to realise herself what he's doing, because otherwise all the help in the world isn't gonna do any good. (I don't know her well enough to try and talk some sense into her.)
My problem is the kid. She's six months old. She should. not. be. in this situation. (And I know, I know what she's thinking, that he'll never hit the kid, not realising that seeing their parent abused will likely scar a child for life. I know, that's what makes it even worse. I know what she's thinking, I just don't know how to make hre see otherwise!)
So yeah, there's my dilemma. What can I do? What should I do? Keeping in mind that I don't want him to find out I'm doing anything, because in the end, my self-preservation instinct is still stronger than my desire to help. :/ Help? Advice? Anyone?