Bystander intervention from A to Z

BYSTANDER INTERVENTIONFROMA TO Z

O N E A C T E N C O U R A G E S A L L O F U S T O B E A C T I V E

BY S TA N D E R S : W H E N W E S E E S O M E T H I N G T H AT C O U L D

L E A D T O S E X U A L A S S A U LT O R R A P E , W E D O S O M E T H I N G !

H E R E A R E S O M E S T R AT E G I E S F O R B Y S TA N D E R

I N T E R V E N T I O N .

AAsk for help. Find an ally to help you intervene.

BBuy some time. Engage the potential perpetrator and/or potential victim in a conversation to delay an incident

CConsent: an enthusiastic, sober yes. Keep this in mind when you see two people about to hook up. If they really want to be together, they’ll wait until they’re sober

DDance intervention. If someone looks uncomfortable on the dance floor, ask them for a dance to give them space to leave

EExtract the potential victim. Ask them to come with you and check something out. It can be anything; get creative!

F Fake a friendship! Pretend you know the potential victim or potential perpetrator and make conversation with them

GGet them a ride home. Offer to call a cab or find a sober driver

HHit the lights. “Accidentally” turn on the lights if you see something suspicious

IInvolve the host/bouncer. They have the authority to kick people out if they are making others uncomfortable

JJust jump into the conversation. If you don’t know those involved, pretend you do or introduce yourself. Don’t be intimidated! Bring a friend to help you tag team

KKlutziness: a great cover for intervention. Accidentally bumping into someone or mistaking the potential victim for a friend are easy diversions

LLet’s take a picture! Initiate a group photo to give the potential victim space to leave

MMistaken identity. Pretend the potential victim is your friend, roommate, sibling, or classmate as a way to insert yourself into the situation.

NNew location! Move the party elsewhere. If things are getting out of hand, suggest getting food on Franklin

OOffer to walk someone home. Bring a friend so you don’t have to walk back alone

PPause the music “accidentally” briefly if you see someone looking uncomfortable on the dance floor

QQuick check in. If you think something is suspicious, check in. This can be as simple as asking, “so how do you two know each other?” or “is everything okay here?”

RRecognize warning signs. Look for body language and other cues that let you know someone might need help

SSpill a drink if you think it’s been drugged. While this might be a “party foul,” it’s better to be safe than sorry

TTalk directly. Tell the potential perpetrator their behavior is not cool and could get them in serious trouble if they continue. Enlist the help of a friend or the host if you don’t want to have this conversation one on one

UUnite the potential victim with their friends if they have been isolated

VVisibility is key. Make it known that you are an ally against interpersonal violence – this will cause others to think critically about the issue

WWater! Offer an inebriated person water instead of an alcoholic drink.

XExcuses so you and a friend can escape a sketchy party – you feel sick, you had too much to drink, you have work in the morning, your family is coming to visit, you have an assignment due that you forgot about, whatever it takes to leave!

YYak it up. Once you are asserted into the situation, just keep talking, even if you feel awkward. Don’t let the potential perpetrator box you out.

Z Zip on over to a One Act training to learn more about how to be an active bystander and reduce interpersonal violence on UNC’s campus!

LEARN MORE AT:HTTP://CAMPUSHEALTH.UNC.EDU/ONEACT