What is Bystander Intervention Training?
In this article, you will find:
What is a Bystander?
A bystander is an individual who observes or becomes aware of a situation or behavior that may be harmful, unethical, or inappropriate.
Within the framework of bystander intervention, this person is not merely a passive observer but is considered to have the potential to take active, responsible steps to prevent or address the situation.
The 5 Types of Bystanders
The Passive Bystander
This type of bystander observes an incident but does nothing to intervene or prevent it, often due to fear, uncertainty, or a belief that it's not their responsibility. They may assume that someone else will step in or feel uncomfortable taking action.
Example of a Passive Bystander
During a meeting, an employee makes a derogatory comment about their colleague. Other team members hear it but choose to ignore it, continuing the meeting without addressing the issue.
The Active Bystander
Active bystanders recognize an issue and take deliberate steps to intervene. They may directly address the situation, seek assistance from others, or use available resources to help. This category of bystanders plays a vital role in promoting a safe and respectful environment.
Example of an Active Bystander
At a company event, one employee notices another acting inappropriately towards a co-worker. The active bystander steps in, respectfully intervenes, and redirects the conversation, diffusing the situation.
The Reluctant Bystander
Reluctant bystanders may recognize that something is wrong but hesitate to take action. This hesitation could be due to social pressures, fear of retaliation, lack of knowledge, or perceived risk. Their reluctance can impede timely and effective intervention.
Example of a Reluctant Bystander
A person that observes a supervisor making consistent, unfair demands on a coworker. While the bystander feels this is due to the supervisor’s bias on their coworker, they worry about the consequences of speaking up and decide to say nothing.
The Facilitator Bystander
Facilitator bystanders indirectly contribute to the negative behavior or incident, possibly by encouraging it, laughing, or providing an audience. This participation can reinforce the undesired behavior, making the situation worse or more challenging to address.
Example of a Facilitator Bystander
In a group chat, one person makes a joke at the expense of a colleague. Instead of discouraging the behavior, a facilitator bystander adds to the negative discourse, encouraging others to join in the laughter.
The Conflicted Bystander
Conflicted bystanders experience an internal struggle regarding how to respond to an incident. They may feel torn between intervening and ignoring the situation, often grappling with moral dilemmas or conflicting loyalties. This inner conflict may lead to delayed or inconsistent responses.
Example of a Conflicted Bystander
During a team project, an employee notices a colleague taking credit for work they didn't do (yeah that person!). The conflicted bystander feels torn between loyalty to the team and the desire to correct the false claim, leading to hesitation and inaction.
What is Bystander Intervention?
Bystander intervention is a social science model that encourages individuals to identify and actively respond to situations where inappropriate, harmful, or unethical behavior is occurring.
Unlike traditional models that focus on the victim or perpetrator, bystander intervention emphasizes the critical role that witnesses of the behavior can play.
The concept is rooted in empowering individuals to take responsibility for their communities and the well-being of others. It's applicable across various contexts, including workplaces, educational institutions, and public spaces.
By focusing on prevention and direct action, bystander intervention seeks to create a culture where harmful behaviors are less likely to occur and more likely to be addressed when they do.
Bystander intervention encourages the recognition of one's ability to positively influence the outcome, either by directly intervening, seeking help from others, or utilizing resources to support those involved. This proactive role shifts the bystander from a passive witness to an empowered participant working towards a safer and more inclusive environment.
How Should Bystanders Intervene?
There are different methods of bystander intervention, including the 5 Steps or the 5 D’s (see below!), that encompass a framework of involvement. Each of these actions are taken from a passive participant, towards an instigator, on behalf of the victim.
In each case, a proactive bystander decides whether to call people out or call people in:
Calling People OUT means a public, direct challenge with the intent of exposing wrongdoing.
Calling People IN is an invitation to a one-on-one or small group conversation to educate with kindness about wrongdoing.
When to Call People Out:
When someone needs to stop unacceptable words/behavior
To explicitly say unacceptable words/behavior will not be tolerated
To hold the person responsible for the unacceptable words/behaviors accountable
To prevent further harm by interrupting
To lean into tough conversations
When to Call People In:
When there is a chance to educate with kindness
To reach a mutual understanding
To explore different perspectives
To advance the conversation through reflection, not reaction
To lean into tough conversations in a compassionate space
Data on the Impact of Intervention
17% of Adolescents Have Intervened When Witnessing Online Harassment. Cyberbullying Research Center
3 out of 4 employees that experience harassment at work never report it. EEOC
When bystanders intervene, bullying stops within 10 Seconds 57% of the Time. StopBullying.gov
38% of LGBT Employees Have Experienced Harassment at Work. UCLA
One in Four Bystanders Who Noticed Harassment at Work Took No Action. EEOC
More Than 80% of College Students Report Witnessing Bullying. StopBullying.gov
81% of Women Have Experienced Sexual Harassment. NPR
These statistics provide a broad overview of the importance and impact of bystander intervention in various contexts.
It’s up to all of us to learn how to intervene when the situation calls for it.
Historical Examples of Bystander Intervention
The "See Something, Say Something" Campaign
Launched by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, this public awareness campaign encourages individuals to report suspicious activity to law enforcement. It's a form of bystander intervention aimed at engaging the community in public safety.
Numerous reports of unattended bags or suspicious behavior have been made due to this campaign, leading to investigations and actions by law enforcement.
Kitty Genovese & the Bystander Effect Theory
The tragic murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964 led to widespread reports that multiple witnesses failed to intervene or call the police. Although later research challenged some of these claims, the case sparked social psychologists' interest in what became known as the bystander effect.
The awareness of this case has led to extensive research on bystander behavior and the development of educational programs and interventions designed to combat passivity and promote active involvement in helping others.
The Stanford Rape Case and the Intervention of Two Bicyclists
In 2015, two graduate students at Stanford University intervened when they noticed a sexual assault occurring on campus.
The students, Carl-Fredrik Arndt and Peter Jonsson, approached the assailant, chased him when he fled, and held him until police arrived. Their intervention likely prevented further harm and played a crucial role in the subsequent legal proceedings.
History of Bystander Intervention Training
Bystander intervention training has developed over the past few decades as a response to growing awareness of social issues like sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination, and other harmful behaviors.
1960s - The Bystander Effect:
The tragic murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964 led to research on the bystander effect by social psychologists Bibb Latané and John Darley. This research laid the foundation for understanding bystander behavior.
1980s - Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention:
In response to growing awareness of sexual harassment and assault, bystander intervention training began to emerge, targeting these specific issues.
2000s - Expansion into Various Contexts:
Bystander intervention training expanded into areas like bullying prevention, substance abuse prevention, and diversity and inclusion training in workplaces, schools, and communities.
2010s - Widespread Adoption and Government Support:
Government agencies, universities, corporations, and other institutions began to adopt bystander intervention training more widely. The White House launched the "It's On Us" campaign in 2014 to promote bystander intervention in sexual assault prevention.
2020s - Virtual Training and Ongoing Development:
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent remote work and learning led to the development of virtual bystander intervention training. Ongoing research continues to refine and adapt these strategies for various settings and issues.
The growth of bystander intervention training reflects a broader societal recognition of the importance of empowering individuals to actively engage in creating safer, more respectful, and inclusive communities.
The 5 Steps of the Bystander Intervention Model
The five stages of Bystander Intervention weave an essential pattern for empowering individuals to step forward and make a difference.
The Bystander Intervention model was largely influenced by the work of social psychologists Bibb Latané and John M. Darley.
They embarked on pioneering research when witnesses fail to intervene or call the police. They explored the phenomena in detail, leading them to identify the sequential steps that might influence an individual's decision to intervene or not in an emergency.
Their insights laid the foundation for the understanding of bystander behavior and how to encourage active intervention in various social or problematic situations.
FIRST, Notice the Event
Pay attention to your surroundings
Anticipate problems/Look for red flags
If you do notice a problem, consider the best intervention strategies and the best exit strategies
SECOND, Interpret the Event as a Problem
Investigate further even if others appear unconcerned
Ask others what they think
Be mindful of peer pressure and prepared to react to it
If you are a victim, let someone know you need help
THIRD, Assume Personal Responsibility
Don’t assume someone else will do something
Publicly state your intention to help
Enlist others to help
FOURTH, Competency to Help
Believe you have the ability to help
Learn skills to help
Practice the skills when possible
FIFTH, Decide to Help
Assess the situation: if it is safe and you are willing to help, implement the most appropriate skills and strategies and STEP UP!
Create a shared and agreed upon standard of behavior and expectations within your team
What are the 5 D’s of Bystander Intervention?
The quintet of guiding principles, known as the 5 D's of Bystander Intervention, serves as a roadmap for individuals who observe a distressing or unjust situation unfolding. The 5 D's were shaped by the organization Hollaback!, a global, people-powered movement to end harassment.
By developing these techniques, Hollaback! sought to cultivate a culture where everyone has the power to take action and support one another, translating the principles of Bystander Intervention into tangible, actionable strategies.
These five actions—Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct—act as an arsenal of tools for empowering witnesses to step away from the sidelines and into a proactive role.
Each "D" serves a unique purpose in navigating and neutralizing a potentially volatile situation. Together, they weave a fabric of social responsibility and community care, promoting a more humane and compassionate society where empathy and action go hand in hand.
Distract
Take an indirect approach to de-escalate the situation.
For example, “Can you tell me when the next team meeting is?” (Loudly drop a book).
Delegate
Get help from someone else.
For example, direct communication like, “My coworker is being verbally abused, can you please help?”.
Document
It is helpful to have documentation of the harassment to be able to refer back to the situation.
For example, a straightforward written summary of the who, what, where will work.
Delay
After the incident is over, check in with the person who experienced disrespectful behavior.
For example, a simple “Hey, are you okay?” along with non-verbal cues like a “knowing glance” can reduce trauma.
Direct
Speak up about the disrespectful behavior when it’s happening.
For example, “I understand you feel offended, but they deserve to be treated with respect, that joke wasn’t funny.”
Who is the Target Audience of Bystander Training?
Bystander Training is considered ADVANCED TRAINING because it is:
Built on previous foundational training about why an inclusive workplace is important.
Provides core skills on how to actively speak up in the workplace.
Leads to further training that provides skills both inside and outside of work.
Comparing Bystander Intervention Training Methods
Bystander Intervention Workshop
Overview: Traditional workplace session
Group Size: Best for small to medium sized groups to encourage discussion
Duration: Half or full day workshops
Cost: Starts at $10,000 and can range to $50,000+ for well-known speakers
Bystander Intervention Online Training
Overview: Popular in small hybrid/remote teams and large companies
Group Size: Unlimited to join, good for sharing recording for future learning
Duration: One to two hour sessions
Cost: Ranges from $2,500 - $5,000 depending on customization needed
Bystander Intervention e-Learning Course
Overview: Module based self paced learning, often with compliance component
Group Size: Individual education that can be scaled as organization requires
Duration: 1 month course individually or 1 year as part of other training
Cost: From $1 per user each month, included in package with other learnings
