What is a Bystander?
Bystanders are the largest group of people involved in violence – they greatly outnumber both the perpetrators and the victims. Bystanders have a range of involvement in assaults. Some know that a specific assault is happening or will happen, some see an assault or potential assault in progress, and some know that assaults do happen. Regardless of how close to the assault they are, bystanders have the power stop assaults from occurring and to get help for people who have been victimized.
BE an ACTIVE bystander--YOU could save someone's LIFE!
Bystanders are the largest group of people involved in violence – they greatly outnumber both the perpetrators and the victims. Bystanders have a range of involvement in assaults. Some know that a specific assault is happening or will happen, some see an assault or potential assault in progress, and some know that assaults do happen. Regardless of how close to the assault they are, bystanders have the power stop assaults from occurring and to get help for people who have been victimized.
BE an ACTIVE bystander--YOU could save someone's LIFE!
Bystander Interventions: Take ACTION! A. Aware Be aware of the event and understand that you need to help. C. Create Create possible solutions. Through knowledge and training, you can better evaluate alternative courses of action. T. Take your time/Think it through/Tag team Take your time and think your response through so that you do not escalate the situation. Is the situation an emergency requiring direct intervention, or can you discuss at a later time? Take a deep breath and stay calm. Enlist help if you can by publicly stating your intention to help. More often than not, people are as worried about the situation as you are, but aren’t willing to be the first one to speak up. I. Intervene Intervene in the situation as soon as it is safe to do so. At the very least, speak up. A conversation will help determine if an ambiguous situation requires help. O. Open dialogue/Observe options Key to creating an open dialogue is to remember your audience, the timing, location, tone and why you are having the conversation. Try to understand others' points of view. N. Negotiate Solution/Negate further conflict Help negotiate a solution. Tell your friend what behavior is or is not acceptable, and know the appropriate next step if you feel the discussion failed to yield a desirable outcome. Bystander Intervention Information: Marquette University http://www.marquette.edu/sexual-misconduct/bystander-intervention.shtml Check out the Circle of 6 app for your phone: a free app that helps prevent violence before it occurs. It is a mobile way to look out for your friends. Circle of 6 app http://www.circleof6app.com/about/ |
Other Bystander Intervention Strategies "I" Statements
Virginia Tech: Be An Active Bystander http://www.stopabuse.vt.edu/bystander.php#strategies |