TALK ABOUT: BYSTANDER INTERVENTION

Catherine Genovese March 13, 1964 Origins of Bystander Intervention

Bystander intervention is safe and positive options that may be carried out by faculty and staff to prevent harm or intervene when there is a risk of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking What is Bystander Intervention?

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 actions to intervene Risk Reduction: options designed to decrease perpetrations and bystander inaction, and to increase empowerment for victims in order to promote safety and to help individuals and communities address conditions that facilitate violence Bystander Intervention includes:

What are the warning signs that a sexual assault is about to occur and bystander intervention is needed? What are effective strategies for preventing sexual assault as a bystander? Things to Talk About

HOW TO RECOGNIZE SEXUAL ASSAULT

Consent is: Voluntary (freely given) Only Active (not passive) Informed Clear Engaged Permission What is Consent?

90% of college women who were victims of attempted or completed rape knew their attacker. Acquaintance rape is not an accident. Perpetrator’s often choose the target carefully and plan the assault, involving three different stages: –Intrusion: accidental touches and stares –Desensitization: the target dismisses their unease –Isolation: separates the target from others Acquaintance Rape

Victim blaming – Places partial or complete blame for the assault in the victim Rape myths – The idea that “real rape” is only committed by a stranger who ambushes a woman unexpectedly Studies have shown most men disagree with such attitudes, but are afraid to speak out – Silence encourages harmful behavior Attitudes that Enable Sexual Assault

STRATEGIES FOR INTERVENTION

The best model for preventing sexual assault as a bystander is to: – Notice the event – Identify it as an emergency – Take responsibility – Decide how to help – Act to intervene General Strategy

Step in and ask if the person needs help Don’t leave Have a buddy system, and let your friends know if you’re worried about them Ask directly, “Do you need a ride?” Find their friends or call 911 Distract the perpetrator so there’s time to intervene Specific Steps

The more people who are there to witness a situation where someone needs help, the less likely it is that someone will actually intervene. A person’s feeling of responsibility is not as strong when that responsibility is shared by others. Bystander Effect

What are reasons someone might NOT intervene in a situation? What can we do on campus to overcome these barriers to intervention and create a more supportive campus climate? Things to Think About

Each day before class you notice a young woman being walked to her class by her boyfriend. Initially, you think they are just close as a couple, but after a few classes you realize that the young man waits outside of class to immediately meet the young woman. At times you even notice him peering in the classroom to watch her. What do you do? Let’s practice scenarios:

You assign a personal essay for a writing assignment. A young woman writes hers about a relationship where she is experiencing domestic violence. She includes details of the violence. What should you do? Scenario 2

You are in your department and you notice that a superior is constantly making advances at a younger co-worker. The younger co-worker is new to campus and is having difficulty fending off the advances. What do you do? Scenario 3

Any questions or comments? Please remember, we can all help to make our campus community safer and more welcoming! Thank you for participating!

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