An Active Bystander is someone who steps in or gets help before, during, or after they see or hear violence. Active Bystander Intervention takes the responsibility of preventing violence off of the potential victim and puts it onto the community as a whole. The emphasis, instead of being on victims and what they are doing “right” or “wrong” to protect themselves, is on the community as a whole refusing to tolerate violence or the behaviors that promote violence. By giving our community the tools to recognize predatory behavior and the skills to respond to it, we empower everyone to identify perpetrators and hold them accountable. Bystanders who choose to take action to help others are the strongest force for preventing violence. Watch the video below from PLEA Community Services of BC for tips on how to be an Active Bystander.
Know How to Respond
If you see a red flag, there are lots of different ways you can help. You can decide on your strategy based on what you feel comfortable with.
Always protect your own safety first. You can…
Delegate
- Ask your friends if they notice something wrong too, and what they think can be done.
- Ask the bartender or wait staff to check on the situation.
- Let security know something is up and someone needs help.
Distract
- “Accidentally” spill a drink
- Start chatting with the perpetrator so someone else can check in with the target
- Invite the target onto the dance floor to get them away from the perpetrator
Direct
- Ask the target if they are okay and if they need help
- Call out the perpetrator for being creepy
- Offer to call a cab for an intoxicated target
*Remember, an Active Bystander never uses violence or threats of violence to help someone.
What is a perpetrator and who can be one?
Anyone can be a perpetrator, regardless of sex, gender, age, race/ethnicity, income status, and/or social status.
Top Tactics of Predators
Pushing Boundaries
- Stranger that approaches overly being overly aggressive/familiar; Violates personal space; Lots of touching
- Subject tries to buy someone else a drink and they send it back, but the person keeps trying
- REMEMBER: People who won’t take “no” for an answer in the club/party, won’t take “no” for an answer outside of i
Isolating a Target
- Someone trying to lure someone away from their group
- Someone encouraging a group to leave their friend behind
- Rule of Thumb: If someone is intoxicated enough that you wouldn’t let them drive home, don’t let them stay with someone they just met
Strategically Using Alcohol & Drugs
- Goes “60 to 0” within a matter of minutes
- Subject buying drinks for others while nursing theirs
- The most common “date rape” drug is alcohol
- Someone quite sober is leaving the club with someone very intoxicated
