Support, Education, and Prevention

The University is working to implement additional training in areas related to bystander intervention, knowing your rights under federal education laws and risk reduction. Additionally, the University provides training for staff that investigate incidents related to sexual misconduct, interpersonal violence and code of conduct violations. Watch this site for updates about scheduled trainings or contact us to request a specific training to meet your needs and schedule.

MSU Denver’s Human Resources department also offers periodic trainings that address issues related to safety. For current offerings visit their training site.

Bystander Intervention

Tabachnick (2008) notes that “many incidents of sexual violence – from the inappropriate comment at a party to sexual abuse and rape involve others; that is, others beyond the victim and the perpetrator.  While in most cases, there is one person who is clearly hurt, often there are others who are affected.  There may be others who saw and heard things that made them feel uncomfortable, but they did nothing to intervene.  As a result, they may be haunted by their missed opportunity to prevent pain and suffering, especially when the event involved a person they love or care about” (p39).

In her report for the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Tabachnick (2008) goes on to say that “bystanders represent a web of people surrounding a progression of inappropriate behaviors, harassment or violence, including those who make a choice to speak up or intervene in some way and those who do not.  Bystanders can have a powerful impact on sexual violence prevention.

At one point in our lives, we have all been silent when we were unsure about what to do or say in a situation within our family, our circle of friends, or our community.  We all know what it feels like to miss an opportunity to help someone and what it feels like to safely say something or do something that has a positive impact on someone in our lives.  Imagine a time when we will be able to count on our friends and family and those in our community to stand with each other against sexual violence and to actively promote healthy relationships” (p39-41).

Vassar College notes that the Bystander Intervention Model predicts that people are more likely to help others under certain conditions.

1. Notice the Incident

Bystanders first must notice the incident taking place. Obviously, if they don’t take note of the situation there is no reason to help.

2. Interpret incident as emergency

Bystanders also need to evaluate the situation and determine whether it is an emergency—or at least one in which someone needs assistance. Again, if people do not interpret a situation as one in which someone needs assistance, then there is no need to provide help.

3. Assume Responsibility

Another decision bystanders make is whether they should assume responsibility for giving help. One repeated finding in research studies on helping is that a bystander is less likely to help if there are other bystanders present. When other bystanders are present responsibility for helping is diffused. If a lone bystander is present he or she is more likely to assume responsibility.

4. Attempts to Help (See Tips for Intervening and Bystander Playbook below)

Whether this is to help the person leave the situation, confront a behavior, diffuse a situation, or call for other support/security.

The best way bystanders can assist in creating an empowering climate free of interpersonal violence is to diffuse the problem behaviors before they escalate.

• Educate yourself about interpersonal violence AND share this info with friends
• Confront friends who make excuses for other peoples abusive behavior
• Speak up against racist, sexist, and homophobic jokes or remarks

Tips for Intervening

In a situation potentially involving sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking:

• Approach everyone as a friend
• Do not be antagonistic
• Avoid using violence
• Be honest and direct whenever possible
• Recruit help if necessary
• Keep yourself safe
• If things get out of hand or become too serious, contact the police

The Bystander Intervention Playbook

From the University of Vermont

• Defensive Split – Step in and separate two people. Let them know your concerns and reasons for intervening. Be a friend and let them know you are acting in their best interest. Make sure each person makes it home safely
• Pick and Roll – Use a distraction to redirect the focus somewhere else: “Hey, I need to talk to you.” or “Hey, this party is lame. Let’s go somewhere else.”
• The Option – Evaluate the situation and people involved to determine your best move. You could directly intervene yourself, or alert friends of each person to come in and help. If the person reacts badly, try a different approach.
• Full Court Press – Recruit the help of friends of both people to step in as a group.
• Fumblerooski – Divert the attention of one person away from the other person. Have someone standing by to redirect the other person’s focus (see Pick and Roll). Commit a party foul (i.e. spilling your drink) if you need to.