Eliminating the Bystander Effect

 Step Up! Bystander Intervention Program

"Have you ever been concerned about a situation and wanted to help... but didn't?

YOU'RE NOT ALONE

This situation is more common than you might think, and is known as the bystander effect. That's why we created the Step UP! Bystander Intervention Program."

 

This program will provide you with "five decision-making steps • strategies for effective helping • S.E.E. model: safe, early, effective • warning signs, action steps, and resources".

 

 

 

 

 

What Should a Bystander Watch For?

• Intrusion begins when the actor violates the target's personal space and comfort level by revealing personal information, or through "accidental" touches and stares that slowly escalate.

• Desensitization occurs when the target feels comfortable with the offender, considers the intrusive actions less threatening, and dismisses feelings of uneasiness.

• Isolation separates the target from others, especially friends, and creates an opportunity for rape.

 

Intervention Strategies:

• Bystanders should step in and ask if the person needs help.

• Let friends know that they are worried about the friend's safety.

• If bystanders remain at the scene and are potential witnesses, perpetrators are less likely to do anything.

• Encourage victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to seek help from trained professionals

• If intervening means putting yourself or someone else in danger call 911 instead.

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Affirmative Consent: 

 "an informed, affirmative, conscious, voluntary, and mutual agreement

to engage in sexual activity."

 

• each person is responsible to ensure that they have the affirmative consent of other participants

• lack of protest or resistance does not mean affirmative consent

• silence does not mean affirmative consent

• must be voluntary, and given without coercion, force, threats or intimidation

• must be ongoing; affirmative consent can be withdrawn or revoked at any time, including after penetration

• consent to one type of sexual activity does not imply consent to any other type of sexual activity

• Partners in a relationship can decide they do not want to participate in sexual activity, the relationship does not mean affirmative consent 

 

Incapacitated ALWAYS means no!

A person who is incapacitated by alcohol or drugs (or unconscious) cannot give affirmative consent to a sexual activity. Someone is incapacitated if she or he lacks the physical and/or mental ability to make informed, rational decisions.

 

Sexual Misconduct:

• rape: even slight sexual penetration with a body part or an object; acquaintance rape is committed by someone the victim knows or just met

• sexual battery: sexually touching someone (including through clothing) or using physical force against someone because of their gender or sex

• sexual assault: attempting, but failing, to commit sexual misconduct