What is Bystander Intervention
Bystander intervention means safe and positive options that may be carried out by an individual or individuals to prevent harm or intervene when there is a risk of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Bystander intervention includes recognizing situations of potential harm, understanding institutional structures and cultural conditions that facilitate violence, overcoming barriers to intervening, identifying safe and effective intervention options, and taking action to intervene.
The Need for Bystander Intervention
Bystander invention has proven to be one of THE MOST effective manners in which to address and potentially preclude sexual harassment and violence.
Take a minute to think about who has the most impact on how you behave. Whose opinion resonates the loudest with you right away? Is it the University Administration, Congress, the local Police, or.... your PEERS, FRIENDS, and FAMILY?
You come in contact with these individuals more than any other group. Their opinion matters to you and your opinion matters to them.
That's why person-to-person interaction is so beneficial in modifying behavior that may be unacceptable.
While the phrase "sexual violence" may invoke images of assault and severe criminal actions, many harassment and sexual violence incidents involve unacceptable behaviors that involve texting, inappropriate comments, touching, etc. that may not seem overtly wrong, but definitely make you (or others) feel uncomfortable.
This is where you as a bystander make a difference.
YOU HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE POSITIVE LASTING CHANGE!
How You Can Help
Stop being just a bystander. STEP IN and STAND UP!
When someone is behaving in a manner that makes you or others in the room uncomfortable... tell them what the impact of their actions are. Allowing individuals to act in an unacceptable manner is doing an injustice to your fellow students as well as our patients.
What Happens Next?
- The individual might not know that their behavior is inappropriate and may benefit from the knowledge that you share.
- The individual might disregard your opinion and continue to act in an unacceptable way.
Then What?
When individuals continue to exhibit behavior that is harassing or sexually violent in nature there are two primary options.
- If the harassment or behavior is pervasive and you feel comfortable doing so, please alert the appropriate University officials or law enforcement if necessary.
- If you do not feel comfortable escalating the situation, you can still help by being there for your friends, family, and peers. We encourage you to explore the resources below to find out how easy it can be to STEP IN and STAND UP when needed.