Lawyer shares important safety lesson that women must keep in mind while breaking up

Despite the push for gender equality, something as basic as women's safety remains a major concern across the globe. Be it public spaces or within four walls with someone they know, women are vulnerable to both physical and emotional abuse. Since no one can be sure how men might react to a breakup, a criminal lawyer has come forward to share a few safety measures for women to keep in mind while ending a relationship.

Michael Foote, a New York-based criminal defense attorney active as @dept_of_redundancy_dept on TikTok started by explaining how common it was for men to lose their cool when women break up with them, before advising agaisnt doing it in a private setting. 

He said, "When you are going to leave your partner and when you ultimately decide it's time to go, do not do it in person. Do not do it alone. Do not do it in a private setting." Foote explained that his suggestions are based on several criminal cases where men didn't take a breakup lightly reported over the course of decades. When the man realizes that the woman is not breakinh up as a threat but that she is "actually" leaving him, he might act aggressively, according to the lawyer.

Foote mentioned that there was an entire section of case law in his law school textbooks for such crimes identified as those committed im the "heat of passion." He went on to add "You might be thinking like, 'Oh, but he's different,' or 'Not him,' or 'But I love him,' or 'We've been married for X number of years.' I guarantee you, every woman who is now the subject of case law in a criminal law textbook thought the same exact thing." He begged women to take this advice and suggested they break up with their significant others over a phone call, text message or meet at a restaurant or public places. Though it may feel unfair for the man, Foote pointed out that if a woman senses even the slightest hint of "extreme reaction," she must not break up with him in person.

"I'd rather you be a jerk who broke up with someone over the phone, who is still alive, than someone who is the next person in a legal textbook," the lawyer said. "That sounds really dramatic. That sounds really extreme. But it's your life and you only get one of them," he added. Foote also recommended his followers look up "heat of passion" crimes and how they've existed in history for a long time. He also added a link to the hotline that ensures women's safety. Nearly 4 million people viewed this video in a couple of months and it resonated with many women and even men. 

"I've always heard that the moment you decide to leave an abusive relationship is when you're in the most danger until you leave," remarked @irontrickster42. "As a man who’s been dumped via text (and it hurt), I now have a wider perspective on this matter. Thank you," @strawberrydonutking admitted. "My mom always taught us that there is nothing more dangerous than a humiliated man or a man who is told no. Never say you’re leaving. Just leave and not alone," added @throughthecameraglass.

You can follow Michael Foote Esq (@dept_of_redundancy_dept) on TikTok for more informative content.