How to Be the Bystander Who Helps
You saw it. Now what? Here’s how to step up without putting yourself at risk.
In recent years, public awareness surrounding sexual harassment and assault has grown significantly. Yet, despite this increased attention, bystanders - those who witness such events - often remain passive, unsure of how to intervene without escalating the situation. This guide aims to break the silence and challenge the complacency surrounding these incidents, offering a critical call to action for all who witness harassment or assault. It’s time to stop being passive observers and to take responsibility in the fight against violence. The role of the bystander is crucial, and it is necessary to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to act effectively, safely, and responsibly.
Understanding the Bystander Effect: Why People Don’t Act
The concept of the bystander effect, first studied by social psychologists Bibb Latane and John Darley in the 1960s, explains why individuals often fail to act in emergencies. As the number of witnesses increases, the likelihood of anyone stepping forward to help decreases. This phenomenon stems from a diffusion of responsibility, where individuals assume someone else will intervene. In the context of harassment or assault, this effect can be deadly. Women, men, and marginalised groups often endure violence in public and private spaces with few or no people intervening.
A study published in Psychological Science showed that while 70% of people are morally compelled to intervene when witnessing harassment, fewer than 10% do. The mental distance that bystanders create in such situations, whether due to fear, uncertainty, or a belief that they will not make a difference, contributes to an environment where harassment and assault can persist unchecked.
Recognising Harassment and Assault: The First Step to Intervention
Before intervening, it is essential to recognise the forms that harassment and assault take. Harassment can range from verbal abuse to inappropriate gestures, while assault involves physical violence. Both are deeply harmful, yet many bystanders fail to recognise them as such, brushing off behavior as “just a joke” or “normal behavior.” This normalisation perpetuates the cycle of abuse.
Research from the American Journal of Public Health found that bystanders are more likely to intervene when they can identify that harassment or assault is occurring. This includes aggressive behavior, unwanted sexual advances, or verbal abuse. If we, as a society, hope to challenge the status quo, we must start by unambiguously defining unacceptable behaviors and calling them out.
Strategies for Being an Active and Effective Bystander
Being an effective bystander requires not only recognising harassment or assault but also taking active steps to intervene. However, it’s important to note that interventions should be done thoughtfully and safely. Risk to personal safety is real, and the best way to approach a situation will depend on the context.
1. Direct Intervention: When safe to do so, one of the most impactful ways to help is by directly intervening. This could mean calling out the perpetrator, asking the victim if they are okay, or creating a distraction to break the tension. A study in Sexual Violence and Abuse showed that direct interventions were highly effective in stopping harassment when done calmly and assertively.
2. Distract the Perpetrator: If direct confrontation feels unsafe, consider creating a distraction. A simple way to do this could be approaching the scene and striking up a conversation, offering the victim an out, or creating a scene that diverts attention away from the incident. By doing this, the perpetrator may lose focus, and the victim may have an opportunity to escape. Research from the Journal of Interpersonal Violence suggests that creating distractions is a non-confrontational yet effective tactic.
3. Support the Victim: After an incident of harassment or assault, offering support to the victim is essential. Approach them privately, ask if they’re okay, and provide resources for assistance, such as hotlines or legal aid. Studies in the International Journal of Violence and Victims stress the importance of validating the victim’s experience and providing options without pressuring them into any particular course of action.
4. Seek Help from Authorities: If the situation involves a serious threat of harm, such as physical assault, immediately contact law enforcement or local security. Bystanders should not attempt to handle situations that escalate into physical violence on their own. According to The Journal of Urban Health, involving authorities may de-escalate the situation and protect everyone involved.
What Society Needs to Understand: Why Bystanders Matter
The concept of the bystander is often overlooked in discussions about sexual assault and harassment, but the presence of bystanders can either facilitate or prevent harm. Research conducted by The Journal of Social Issues reveals that when bystanders step in, the outcomes are overwhelmingly positive, reducing short-term and long-term harm to victims. Moreover, bystanders who intervene help establish social norms that discourage harassment and promote mutual respect in public spaces.
In short, we condone the behavior when we fail to act as bystanders. Every instance of non-intervention reinforces a culture of violence and inequality.
Conclusion: Silence Is Complicity - The Time to Act Is Now
It’s time to break the silence. Bystanders have the power to influence outcomes in harassment and assault cases, but only if they are willing to act. The inaction of a single person can perpetuate violence for countless others. The time for complacency is over - standing idly by is no longer an option. Each bystander has a responsibility to step forward, to intervene, to support, and change the culture that enables harassment and assault.
Failing to act perpetuates the system. Intervening is taking a stand for humanity, respect, and justice. The lives of victims are on the line. It's no longer enough to witness simply; we must act, and we must act now.
Sources
Berkowitz, A. (2005). Bystander intervention in sexual assault: A review of the literature. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 29(1), 106-118. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1471-6402.2005.00203.x
Banyard, V. L., Plante, E. G., & Moynihan, M. M. (2004). Rape prevention through bystander education: An experimental evaluation. Journal of Community Psychology, 32(5), 539-554. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jcop.20049
Lonsway, K. A., & Fitzgerald, L. F. (1994). Rape prevention and risk reduction: Review of the literature. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 18(3), 233-267. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1471-6402.1994.tb00456.x
McMahon, S. (2015). Bystander behavior in sexual assault prevention: A review of the literature. Journal of Community Psychology, 43(1), 53-73. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jcop.21710
Powell, A., & Henry, N. (2017). Sexual violence in the media: A review of literature on its impacts and strategies for prevention. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 32(2), 227-251. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0886260515617338
Disclaimer:
This article has been written by a HASSL Ambassador as part of our community content initiative. While all ambassador contributions are reviewed for clarity, tone, and alignment with our values before publication, the views expressed are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the views or official position of HASSL.
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Please note that the information provided is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It should not be taken as professional, medical, or legal advice. If you require support or guidance in any of these areas, we strongly recommend consulting a qualified professional.
