Every April, communities across the country recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence and promoting prevention. While it is important to support survivors, it is equally important to focus on how we can prevent harm before it happens. One powerful prevention strategy is bystander intervention, which encourages people to safely step in when they witness behavior that could lead to harassment or assault.
5Ds of bystander intervention:
Direct (clearly confronting harmful behavior)
Distract (interrupting the situation to de-escalate it)
Delegate (asking for help from others or authority figures)
Delay (checking in with the person afterward to offer support)
Document (safely recording the incident so the person affected can use it later if they choose.
An example of bystander intervention in a workplace or social setting:
At an office happy hour, a group of coworkers are talking together. One employee begins making repeated comments about a colleague’s appearance and moves closer to her even though she looks uncomfortable. She laughs nervously and tries to change the subject, but the comments continue.
A few coworkers nearby notice the situation and decide to intervene.
Direct:
One coworker calmly says, “Hey, let’s keep things professional. That comment was a little inappropriate.” This signals that the behavior isn’t acceptable.
One coworker calmly says, “Hey, let’s keep things professional. That comment was a little inappropriate.” This signals that the behavior isn’t acceptable.
Distract:
Another coworker walks over and says to the colleague, “Hey, I wanted to ask you about that project we talked about earlier—can you come help me for a minute?” This gives her a reason to leave the situation.
Another coworker walks over and says to the colleague, “Hey, I wanted to ask you about that project we talked about earlier—can you come help me for a minute?” This gives her a reason to leave the situation.
Delegate:
If the behavior continues, someone might inform a supervisor, event organizer, or HR representative so they can address the issue.
If the behavior continues, someone might inform a supervisor, event organizer, or HR representative so they can address the issue.
Delay:
Later, a coworker checks in privately and says, “I noticed what was happening earlier. Are you okay? If you want support reporting it, I’m here.”
Later, a coworker checks in privately and says, “I noticed what was happening earlier. Are you okay? If you want support reporting it, I’m here.”
Document:
If the situation escalated and it was safe to do so, a bystander could discreetly document
If the situation escalated and it was safe to do so, a bystander could discreetly document
An example of bystander intervention in public:
Imagine you are at a grocery store or shopping center and notice a man repeatedly approaching a woman who is clearly trying to avoid him. She keeps stepping away and saying she’s not interested, but he continues following her and trying to start a conversation. She looks uncomfortable and keeps glancing around.
You notice the interaction and decide to intervene.
Direct:
If it feels safe, you could calmly say to the man, “She said she’s not interested. Please leave her alone.” This clearly reinforces her boundary.
If it feels safe, you could calmly say to the man, “She said she’s not interested. Please leave her alone.” This clearly reinforces her boundary.
Distract:
You could walk up to the woman and act as if you know her. For example:
“Hey! I’ve been looking for you. Can you help me find the pasta aisle?”
This gives her an easy way to step away from the situation.
You could walk up to the woman and act as if you know her. For example:
“Hey! I’ve been looking for you. Can you help me find the pasta aisle?”
This gives her an easy way to step away from the situation.
Delegate:
You could alert a store employee, manager, or security guard and explain that someone is being followed or harassed so they can address it.
You could alert a store employee, manager, or security guard and explain that someone is being followed or harassed so they can address it.
Delay:
If the man eventually leaves, you might check in with the woman and say, “I noticed what was happening earlier. Are you okay? Do you want me to walk with you to your car or find an employee?”
If the man eventually leaves, you might check in with the woman and say, “I noticed what was happening earlier. Are you okay? Do you want me to walk with you to your car or find an employee?”
Document:
If the situation escalated and it was safe, you might discreetly record what is happening so the person affected has documentation if they decide to report it.
If the situation escalated and it was safe, you might discreetly record what is happening so the person affected has documentation if they decide to report it.
As we recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that preventing sexual violence isn’t just the responsibility of survivors—it’s a community effort. Learning and practicing bystander intervention equips us to act safely and decisively in moments of risk, whether at school, work, or in public.
Thanks for reading,
Tracie
HAVEN Advocates are here to help!
