Witnessed an incident in MK - still unsettled

[ILoveMyDVC]

Good morning,
We were in Tommorowland yesterday late afternoon. I was with a young mom, two male friends and an 8 year old child.
We saw the following:
Male ~mid thirties
3 Females ~late 20s, teen to early 20s, ~6 year old.
The male became very aggressive cornering the older female; shouting at her; waving his hands around. She eventually moved away from what looked like two minors - we would later see that one may have been as old as 22(?). The older two were now really getting into it; ~40 yards.

The two of us went together to check on the 'children' who were sobbing hysterically. The older one was dropping all of her food on to the ground and shaking. My young mom friend spoke softly with her. The adult male looked over and proceeded to storm over; ten h acted like everything was okay "a friend of ours is upset". Th older female came over, thanked us and hugged my friend for intervening. I kept eye contact with the little one. I mouthed to her, are you okay gesturing thumbs up or down. She looked down and started crying again.

The male's affect, dress, and presentation did not match the unit of 4.

It's haunting the two of us. I looked for a CM from the moment it started and all the time we were there and as we walked away.

Thinking of calling security today. We were using a DAS and LL. They will be able to track the time - we were waiting for Astro Orbiter DAS at ?:11 p.m. Let's not kid, they have video everywhere.

Saw an excellent presentation by TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking) while at a work conference a few months ago. The message was see something; say something.

Thoughts?

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Hindsight is 20/20. The time to get others (security) involved was when you got involved.

Saw an excellent presentation by TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking) while at a work conference a few months ago. The message was see something; say something.

 

[Belle1962]

Where was the rest of your party? Couldn’t they have looked for a CM? There would have been CM’s at least at the entrance to every ride. I’m a lost child magnet-if there’s a lost child anywhere in my vicinity they find their way to me. I’ve had my grandson when he was as young 6 go up to CM’s (as long as I could keep an eye on him). Edit: so my grandson could tell them I had a lost child with me. I would never move a lost child from where they found me. So when it was only me and grandson I had no choice but to send him if it was safe. And no, I would never stop someone else (adult) to help-I don’t know these people and I know if a child finds their way to me they are safe until Disney can take custody of them.

 

[TheRichFam]

Absolutely, 100% say something. Every time. No matter what. Even if you're wrong 100 times, the one time you're right will make all the difference in the world. I used to work for the Dept. of Homeland Security, and I will say with total certainty that human trafficking happens all around us, every day, even in places like WDW. (More on this later)

We had a similar experience in DHS in 2017. My group of 8 was headed towards Flo's for dinner and I noticed a man and woman and something felt "off" about the way she was acting. They were both adults, but something didn't feel right. Knowing we had all been security checked previously, I felt safe enough to do something I absolutely don't recommend anyone do in a non-secured environment or without proper training:

I made it weird.

I got RIGHT behind them as they were walking. As in I could have reached out and touched the guy. I made eye contact with her, and she looked spooked. While making eye contact with her I said something to the effect of, "hi! You guys having a good time?" He instantly turned into Mr. Sweetguy- "OHHH!!! We're having such a great day! This weather is perfect! etc etc". Meanwhile she didn't say a thing but wouldn't break eye contact with me. After a short conversation, he took her by the elbow and started leading her towards the exit. It was subtle, but he was definitely not "asking." I motioned for my oldest son to join me and we followed them towards the exit. Within a short distance of the exit we waived down a security cast member. I said, "I have no idea what that is, but it isn't good." He didn't ask any questions, just said "I'm on it, stay here" and took off after them, because when the two hit the gate they started walking much faster. Within a few minutes another security CM came and asked me to describe what had happened. My son and I did so, the CM thanked us and said "we deal with stuff like this all the time." Maybe it was domestic violence, maybe it was trafficking, maybe it was just an overly controlling dude being a massive jerk to his partner. Regardless, speaking out made it possible for security to intervene on that woman's behalf.

Regarding human trafficking- I hate that I know this, but many traffickers literally advertise. They will use social media, web pages, etc to lure young women into situations where they believe things will be a certain way only to arrive "on their own free will" and end up in a situation they can't get out of. Many of the traffickers will use images of them taking people to fun places -- including Disney-- as a way to legitimize what they do and trick people into making mistakes with devastating consequences. It's truly disgusting.

PLEASE: if you see something, say something. You could literally save a life, or even many lives.

No super soldier serum required.

 

[TheRichFam]

Hindsight is 20/20. The time to get others (security) involved was when you got involved.

I can't agree here. As OP mentioned, mostly every inch of WDW property that is a "public area" is covered by video surveillance. It's absolutely worth reporting after the fact. Security can (and will) check the feed and take action if need be.

Think about it this way: we went to Disneyland a couple years back. My son left his Jack Sparrow hat on a ride, but we didn't know that yet. All we knew was he lost it. We went through the lost and found procedure, and when someone called us they asked us about our day. We gave them a rough rundown. Less than two days later they called back and said "we're mailing your hat to you." When I asked how he found it, the CM said "we reconstructed your day and he had it on when he went into Incredicoaster but not when he came out. We checked with the attraction and they turned it in. We have it here for you and we'll be mailing it to you."

If they can do that to find a kid's hat, they can absolutely do that for a suspected DV/Human Trafficking situation.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Where was the rest of your party? Couldn’t they have looked for a CM? There would have been CM’s at least at the entrance to every ride. I’m a lost child magnet-if there’s a lost child anywhere in my vicinity they find their way to me. I’ve had my grandson when he was as young 6 go up to CM’s (as long as I could keep an eye on him).

One male was with his child somewhere "walking it off" (hence the DAS). The other male was watching us in case the father returned angrily. We went together because it's better to have two witnesses if things escalated. Yes, I wish I had called security. Very much wish we found someone.

 

[Marypoppins14]

Follow your instincts and report the incident to security today. I commend you for your compassion and kind gestures towards these women.

 

[gottalovepluto]

You’re too late to “say something”. Say something to ease your conscience I guess but know no one is going to track down some guy because he screamed and yelled and looked out of place yesterday. And no, they don’t have video everywhere. It’s amazing how many sheriff’s reports of outdoor incidents at the theme parks say there was no video.

Also- you should not have interfered at all. You put yourself at risk of physical confrontation and by interfering could have escalated the situation and made it worse. You should have immediately gone to a CM. They were there- selling water bottles, at the closest ride, in the closest shop. They would have alerted security and then security/OC sheriffs would have safely intervened.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Follow your instincts and report the incident to security today. I commend you for your compassion and kind gestures towards these women.

Thank you. I am sick that we didn't trust ourselves to report it right then.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

It's August in Florida and people are spending money, hot, tired, and hungry.

I've seen a lot of families having meltdowns in that situation.

In fact there was a time or two that my family had one. Yes even to the point of quietly "yelling" at each other and storming off.

Its done, its over, leave it.

 

[TheRichFam]

Follow your instincts and report the incident to security today. I commend you for your compassion and kind gestures towards these women.

100%!!!

 

[Mouse Tracker]

report the incident to security today

Please tell us how that interaction goes.........

 

[Marypoppins14]

You’re too late to “say something”. Say something to ease your conscience I guess but know no one is going to track down some guy because he screamed and yelled and looked out of place yesterday. And no, they don’t have video everywhere. It’s amazing how many sheriff’s reports of outdoor incidents at the theme parks say there was no video.

Also- you should not have interfered at all. You put yourself at risk of physical confrontation and by interfering could have escalated the situation and made it worse. You should have immediately gone to a CM. They were there- selling water bottles, at the closest ride, in the closest shop. They would have alerted security and then security/OC sheriffs would have safely intervened.

I disagree, from both a personal and a professional level (I happen to be a clinical psychologist with expertise in trauma psychology).

Although I do agree that the OP should have -- in retrospect -- also alerted a CM/security in tandem with the bystander/upstander intervention.

Bystander/upstander interventions can be very helpful when done tactfully and carefully. Sounds like the OP intervened appropriately, kindly, and tactfully.

Yes, parks are hot and crowded and overwhelming. Couples and families and children fight and have meltdowns.

The OP trusted his/her instincts that something felt off, and responded accordingly.

Kind, caring and compassionate. Kudos!!!

Here is some more information regarding bypstander/upstander interventions. Bit of a different focus (discrimination), yet applies here as well:

https://www.apa.org/pi/health-equity/bystander-intervention