What is a bystander?
Bystanders are individuals who witness events or situations that impact others and by their presence may have the opportunity to provide assistance, do nothing, or contribute to an ongoing behaviour.
What is an active bystander?
An active bystander is someone who not only witnesses a situation, but takes steps to speak up or step in to keep a situation from escalating or to disrupt a problematic situation when it is safe to do so.
An active bystander's decision-making process
Before acting, it is important to ask yourself questions.
- Before I take action:
- Am I aware there is a problem or risky situation?
- Do I recognise someone needs help?
- Do I see others and myself as part of the solution?
- During the situation:
- How can I keep myself safe?
- What are my available options?
- Are there others I may call upon for help?
- What are the aids/barriers to taking action?
- Decision to take action:
- When to act?
- What intervention strategy can I use?
- Direct: Directly intervene
- Distract: Distract either party
- Delegate: Get help from others
- Delay: Check in after
- Act
Note:
It is always important to think of your own safety. It is important to remember that the only person ultimately responsible for the incident is the perpetrator themselves.
It is always important to think of your own safety. It is important to remember that the only person ultimately responsible for the incident is the perpetrator themselves.