STEPPING UP INTO BYSTANDER

INTERVENTION

Bystander intervention is a
simple concept: We are all
obligated to act when we
witness an act of violence or
something that contributes to a
culture that supports violence.
(Stanford University, 2015)

38 PEOPLE WATCHED A MURDER

1968- for more than half an hour 38 respectable, law
abiding citizens in Queens watched a killer stalk and
stab a woman in three separate attacks outside of
her apartment complex.
Twice, the sound of their voices and the sudden glow of
their bedroom Iights interrupted him and frightened
him off. Each time he returned, sought her out and
stabbed her again. Not one person telephoned the
police during the assault; one witness called after the
woman was dead.

BYSTANDER EFFECT
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 persons feeling of responsibility
is not as strong when that
responsibility is shared by others.

SEXUAL ASSAULT OVERVIEW

Sexual Violence - Any act sexual in nature,
whether verbal or physical, that breaks
a persons trust, violates their safety, or
impedes upon their sexual autonomy.
Sexual violence includes and is not
limited to sexual harassment, sexual
assault and rape. It also does not
specify a gender or age and can be
understood to encompass domestic
violence or any violence based on ones
sexual identity.

CONSENT OVERVIEW
Consent: Sexual activity requires consent, which is
defined as clear, unambiguous, and voluntary
agreement between the participants to engage
in specific sexual activity. Consent cannot be
inferred from the absence of a "no"; a clear
"yes,"verbal or otherwise, is necessary.
Although consent does not need to be verbal,
verbal communication is the most reliable form
of asking for and gauging consent, and
individuals are thus urged to seek consent in
verbal form. Talking with sexual partners about
desires and limits may seem awkward, but serves
as the basis for positive sexual experiences
shaped by mutual willingness and respect.

CONSENT CONTINUED
Consent cannot be obtained from someone
who is asleep or otherwise mentally or
physically incapacitated, whether due to
alcohol, drugs, or some other condition.
Consent cannot be obtained by threat,
coercion, or force. Agreement given under
such conditions does not constitute consent.

STATISTICS
1 in 4 women will be and 1 in 6 men will be
sexually assaulted before the age of 18.
(USDOJ)
Girls 16-19 are 4x more likely to experience a
rape
12% of girls and 5% of boys in high school have
been sexually assaulted
93% knew the perpetrator
(www.rainn.org)

THINGS TO TALK ABOUT

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?

RECOGNIZING SEXUAL ASSAULT

What does sexual assault look like to you?

WHAT IS CONSENT?

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

ACQUAINTANCE RAPE
90% of college women who were victims of attempted or
completed rape knew their attacker.
Acquaintance rape is not an accident.
Perpetrators 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

ATTITUDES THAT ENABLE SEXUAL

ASSAULT
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

Strategies For
Intervention

GENERAL STRATEGY
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

SPECIFIC STEPS

Step in and ask if the person needs

help

Dont leave

Have a buddy system, and let your

friends know if youre worried about
them

Ask directly, Do you need a ride?

Find their friends or call 911

Distract the perpetrator so theres time

to intervene

DONT BE A BYSTANDER.. AND GET

CONSENT!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NQ_a92oGaw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAy5LYJlTII

LETS TALK

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?