WHAT IS BYSTANDER INTERVENTION Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault Sexual Assault Crisis Centers provide a 24-hour crisis hotline, information and referral, free counseling and more.. We usually think of intervening as stopping individual acts of sexual abuse or rape, in the few moments before it happens. But rarely is this individual “event” the only chance to make a difference. We witness situations every day in which someone makes an inappropriate or derogatory sexual comment or perpetrates sexual harassment. Each of these presents an opportunity to intervene by reinforcing positive attitudes and behaviors BEFORE a behavior potentially becomes abusive or violent. If we only limit our interventions to a culminating “event,” we miss multiple opportunities to do something or say something before someone is harmed. As men, it’s important to recognize that we can play a key role in shaping the culture around sexual violence. Stepping up and speaking out as bystanders is one way to do so. www.lafasa.org 11832 Newcastle Ave, Ste. 9 Baton Rouge, LA 70816 PHONE 225.372.8995 FAX 225.292.1986 TOLL FREE 888.995.7273 Bystander Intervention: ENGAGING MEN WHY SHOULD I GET INVOLVED? Because getting involved helps prevent sexual assault in a culture that too often inadvertently supports it. Because a little thing you do to check in with someone else could be the big thing that prevents a lot of trauma. And because sexual assault is everyone’s problem. Sexual violence occurs on a spectrum, from intimidating cat calls to groping or unwanted touching to rape. Think of your sister, your mom, your girlfriend, or one of your good friends in a sexually violent situation. What if someone watched or knew it was happening and did nothing to stop it? How would you feel? Do you want to be that kind of person? When we don’t speak up, we support a culture that lets perpetrators get away with sexual violence. Getting involved doesn’t have to be, and ideally shouldn’t be, a big production. What you can do: • Register your lack of approval for harassment or sexist comments by walking away from the offensive person or group. • Offer your presence. If you see that a woman is being targeted, simply stand near her so that she and the perpetrator know she’s not alone. • Take action if there is a threat of immediate danger by getting an authority figure, from a bartender or bouncer, to even calling security or the police. • Speak up if someone’s making derogatory jokes about anyone, especially women. • To defuse a potential situation, distract the couple or take one person aside. Ask the potential perpetrator for the time, or anything that would momentarily break his focus from the target. • Talk to the girl at some point and ask, “Is he bothering you?”, “Are you okay?” – if the woman says she would like your help, do what you can to assist. If she does not need your help, respect this and move on. • Knock on or open the door and ask if everything is alright. Interrupting a seemingly harmless situation is better than standing around while a sexual assault takes place. It takes some guts to be the kind of person who will intervene. But at least you’ve started the conversation. All it takes is one person. When intervening in a situation, it’s important to reference the behavior you are concerned about, but do not judge the potential perpetrator as a human being. The purpose of your intervention is to acknowledge that their actions/ behaviors/statements are not acceptable and should not be repeated. FIVE STEPS TOWARDS TAKING ACTION It’s not a bad thing to want to make sure people are safe. However, men often make the mistake of assuming that women need the help of men. Sometimes women would appreciate some help, other times it’s unwarranted. • Notice the event along a continuum of actions. (Is the event healthy, mutually respectful & safe, or is it potentially violent or sexually abusive?) • Always consider whether the situation demands your action. (Are your actions desired and necessary?) • Decide if you have a responsibility to act. (Would inaction lead to a dangerous or unhealthy situation?) • Choose what form of assistance to use. (Gauge your surroundings and recognize what type of intervention is necessary.) • Understand how to implement a choice safely. (It is important that you are out of harm’s way as well.)