DEIJ Introduction Series: Bystander Intervention
Bystander intervention focuses on taking action in a situation where discrimination or harassment is happening. At Equity Labs, we believe in the value of intervening. We want to be clear that participating in an intervention is nuanced and worth learning a few basic skills to intervene effectively. If you are new to bystander intervention, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Take your power and positionality into account when considering your participation.
Talk with your friends, family, and community about bystander intervention practices.
Ask questions and engage with different kinds of media to learn more about what intervention can look like.
Safety looks different for each person. Someone experiencing harassment may not want to call the cops in a situation because it could negatively escalate what’s happening. Consent to bring in or call any kind of law enforcement is critical. Bystander intervention will look different in each situation and it's crucial to analyze which intervention technique would be most appropriate and act accordingly.
Someone may not feel equipped to interrupt and intervene because of a perceived lack of knowledge. As a bystander, take time to consider what you feel capable of doing to balance personal safety and intervention. Consider taking a bystander intervention training to address any feelings you may have around not feeling equipped. One group, Right to Be, offers training and resources around intervention on their website. Participating in these training sessions will allow you to better understand each unique intervention approach. They will also give you insight into when these approaches are appropriate to employ.
Right to Be outlines the 5 D’s of bystander intervention with images and explanations. To dive into the world of bystander intervention, learning the 5 D’s is a great first step. The 5 D’s of bystander intervention are:
Distract - Indirectly intervene in the situation at hand to create space between the involved parties.
Delegate - Analyze the steps needed to diffuse the situation at hand and delegate these steps to those around you.
Document - Take note of the situation and keep a record.
Delay - Take time to check in with the victim of the situation.
Direct - Directly intervene and firmly denounce the behavior of the perpetrator.
Each of these five approaches is entirely dependent on the context of the conflict. However, it's important to know these basics to become an active and supportive bystander.
For more information visit Right to Be.
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