Bystander Intervention

An important part of preventing sexual violence  is learning to recognize the warning signs of potentially dangerous situations involving sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking in order to intervene safely.

Bystander Intervention Steps

Notice the situation: Be aware of what is going on around you.
Interpret it as a problem: Listen to your inner alarm.
Feel responsible to act: You are part of the solution.
Know how to intervene: Educate yourself on what you would do.
Intervene safely: Take action in ways that feel safe for you.

Methods of Intervention

Direct
Ask person if she/he is okay.
Tell a person that what she/he is doing isn't cool.

Delegate
Tell someone else (student, faculty, staff, police)
Recruit the help of friends

Distract
Ask the person if she/he wants to leave
Defuse and redirect the situation