The ManicaPost
A COMMUNITY volunteer group has shamed a young woman’s friends after they allegedly abandoned her during a drunken night out and put her at risk of violence.
The woman was left behind after she got so drunk that she was refused entry into a nightclub and had trouble walking, it was claimed.
She was cared for by volunteers from Cheltenham Guardians after she was found alone with no money shortly after 2am on Sunday.Concerned volunteers blasted the friends who ditched her because she was an “inconvenience”, and raised fears that a woman in such a vulnerable state could be raped and murdered.The community group in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, works with police and other agencies to provide care for people on the streets, including the homeless and revellers who have had too much to drink.A mobile patrol located the woman after receiving a radio call from a nightclub on Promenade stating that a drunk woman needed help.A member of Cheltenham Guardians wrote on Facebook: “We quickly ascertained that ‘Sarah’ (not her real name) had been refused entry into the club as she was intoxicated and very unsteady on her feet.
“We also learned that Sarah’s friends were aware of her situation and had left her alone with no money whilst they continued on into the club. They abandoned her to the night.“Had vigilant door security or Guardians not been there for ‘Sarah’ any number of negative situations could have occurred such was her level of intoxication.”
Cheltenham Guardians said it learned that ‘Sarah’ was staying with a friend – named as ‘Beth’ in the Facebook post, although it is not her real name – who made it into the club.Security located and removed ‘Beth’ from the nightclub.“Tiring a little of seeing situations such as this one Guardian Marian gave ‘Beth’ chapter and verse about looking after and not abandoning your friends when you are out.“We felt as though the message didn’t get through. ‘Beth’ put ‘Sarah’ into a taxi and returned to the club.”
Facebook users joined in and slammed the woman’s friends, with one writing: “Anyone who abandons an intoxicated friend is not truly a friend, but utter scum. Sarah – find yourself some new friends. You don’t need these lowlives!”But some suggested that ‘Sarah’ should take some responsibility for her condition.One user wrote: “Nobody should get so intoxicated they cannot look after themselves. If she had no money why was she going into a club.“Always easy to keep pointing fingers but at the end of the day it’s 18 to drink and your classed as an adult. So be responsible for your own actions.”
Volunteers said they have been dealing with an increase in cases where friends are abandoning friends on nights out, often leaving them with no money or way of getting home.
The group has an ‘India Protocol’ – named for 20-year-old India Chipchase, who was raped and murdered in Northampton last year – in which they approach every lone female they encounter after midnight to find out if they need help.“Take responsibility for your friends. Look out for one another.”—Mirror Online
