Everyone’s Issue
How we can all help prevent sexual assault
All students have a vital role in the effort to build safer and socially comfortable campuses. Research shows that only a small number of men on campus are responsible for most of the sexual assaults. “Most men underestimate their ability to have an impact on the behaviour of the men who do sexually harass, sexually coerce, and sexually assault others,” says Dr. Charlene Senn, an expert in sexual violence intervention and co-founder of the Bystander Initiative at the University of Windsor, Ontario.
Feeling empowered to take effective action
“Men are typically expected to intervene in ways that are direct, confrontational, and potentially pose more physical risk. They may avoid getting involved because they have concerns about getting into a fight,” says Dusty Johnstone, instructor of the Bystander Initiative courses at the University of Windsor.
Bystander intervention efforts emphasize a range of direct and indirect ways to help make sure everyone is comfortable. These include resisting other people’s derogatory comments, which signal a potentially toxic environment, and creating openings for someone to extract themselves from a situation if they want to.
What you can achieve
- Active bystanders can reduce harm and establish a safer community.
- Active bystanders shift the blame away from victims and foster a sense of community responsibility.
- Active bystanders model interventions for others, who may apply similar strategies in the future.
Ways to disrupt potentially harmful situations
Suggestive Comment
A classmate makes a sexually suggestive comment to another student
- Direct response: "Whoa! That was out of line.”
- Indirect response: "That was awkward and a bit much."
Party Pressure
At a party, a guy seems to be paying way too much attention to another student
- Direct response: "Dude, stop trying so hard.”
- Indirect response: "Hey, I've got someone you need to meet."
Following Someone
Walking across campus with friends, a student suggests you all follow someone
- Direct response: "What's your point? No, that's stupid."
- Indirect response: "Let's get out of here and catch the event in the quad."
Drunk and Aggressive
A drunk guy announces he’s going to get with a girl that night
- Direct response: "I dare you to get with someone who wants to get with you."
- Indirect response: "Keep tabs on the situation through the night to see if he's blowing smoke or if sex is his goal no matter what."
