Prevention Resources

Bystander Intervention Tips

RISD encourages all members of the RISD community to be active bystanders against sexual violence. The following information is based on Bystander Intervention research being done at the University of New Hampshire (Bringing in the Bystander®).

Some simple steps to becoming an active bystander:

Notice the situation. Be aware of your surroundings.
Interpret it as a problem. Ask yourself, “do I recognize that someone needs help?”
Feel responsible to act. Educate yourself on what to do.
Intervene safely. Take action but be sure to keep yourself safe.

How to intervene safely:

Tell another person. Being with others is a good idea when a situation looks dangerous.
Ask a person you are worried about if he/she is okay. Provide options and a listening ear.
Distract or redirect individuals in unsafe situations.
Ask the person if he/she wants to leave. Make sure that he/she gets home safely.
Call the police (911) or Public Safety (6666) or yell for help.

What can my friends and I do to be safe?

Have a plan. Talk to your friends about your plan BEFORE you go out.
Go out together. Go out as a group and come home as a group.; never separate and never leave your friend(s) behind.
Watch out for others. If you are walking at night with friends and notice a woman walking by herself in the same direction, ask her to join you so she doesn’t have to walk alone.
Diffuse situations. If you see a friend coming on too strong to someone who may be too drunk to make a consensual decisions, interrupt, distract, or redirect the situation. If you are too embarrassed or shy to speak out, get someone else to step in.
Trust your instincts. If a situation or person doesn’t seem “right” to you, trust your gut and remove yourself, if possible, from the situation.

Below are some additional resources for bystander intervention:

RISD has a club: SHARE– Sexual Health And Relationship Educators who host programs and trainings around the topic of consent, healthy relationships and bystander intervention for more information on the club please email risdshare@risd.edu

A Video from New Zealand’s Who Are You Campaign

Article: Understanding Abusers