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What should I have done? I was on the train last night and saw a man with five children. The kids appeared to be between 18 months and 8 years of age. They were reckless, loud, and violent with each other, which i understood once i saw how their father was interacting with them.

He smacked them all (including the smallest baby) multiple times, called them dumb asses, berated the girl child (the other four were boys) and called her ungrateful, etc etc. I was shocked to see kids treated that way and it affected me so deeply that I woke up still thinking about it, but I felt powerless during that train ride.

Is there realistically something I could have done? I feared the man (and possibly the older kids) would have retaliated physically if I confronted him, but I can’t get those kids out of my mind. If that’s how he treats them in public, I’m horrified to think of what they could be experiencing behind closed doors.

Any advice is welcome on what to do in future situations like this one. Thanks.

edited: Thanks for the advice everyone. I have filed a police report.