Bystander Intervention Education Programs

Programs that are designed to increase public awareness of the measures that people can take to prevent sexual assault or rape, harassment, unwanted comments of a racist, homophobic or transphobic nature, or other situations. Bystanders are people who are present at an event, party or other setting who notice a problematic situation, e.g., someone making sexual advances to a person who has had too much to drink. The bystander intervenes with the goal of preventing the situation from escalating. Options include distracting either of the people, getting help from others, or directly intervening. There are risks to bystander intervention: it can lead to fights or confrontations, or resentment by the presumed victim. But stepping in, particularly when witnessing a violent crime, may give the potential victim a chance to leave the scene and get to a safe place. In some situations, particularly, where escalation might be a risk, the best solution might be to call 9-1-1.