2. Session 5 Social Norms and Bystander Intervention

3. Culture of the course Collaboration Active participation
Non-judgemental and sensitive approach to others
Respectful communication
Confidentiality
CONTACT:

4. Social Norms feedback You thought…
76% of your peers would approach a friend if they thought they were in an abusive relationship to let them know they were there to help.
49% of your peers would ask an upset stranger at a party if they needed help.
62% of your peers would do something to help a very intoxicated person being brought upstairs to a bedroom by a group of people at a party.
86% of your peers would stop sexual activity when asked to, even if sexually aroused.

5. Social Norms feedback In contrast…
86% of you said you would be likely to approach someone you thought was in an abusive relationship to let them know that you were there to help.
65% of you said that you would ask an upset stranger at a party if they needed help.
81% of you said that you would do something to help a very intoxicated person being brought upstairs to a bedroom by a group of people at a party.
97% of you said that you would stop sexual activity when asked to, even if sexually aroused.

6. Social Norms feedback You thought…
22% of your peers think that when girls go to parties wearing slutty clothes they are asking for trouble.
12% of your peers think that if a girl doesn’t physically resist sex it can’t really be considered rape (even if protesting verbally).

7. Social Norms feedback In contrast…
5% of you agreed that when girls go to parties wearing slutty clothes, they are asking for trouble.
0% of you agreed that if a girl doesn’t resist sex it can’t really be considered rape (even if protesting verbally).

8. 4 Stages for intervention
1. Notice the event
2. Interpret it as a problem
3. Feel responsible for dealing with it
4. Possess necessary skills to act
Adapted from Berkowitz, A. (2009) Response Ability: A Complete Guide to Bystander Intervention, Beck & Co., p.10

9. New Zealand bystander video

10. Discussion questions Who could have intervened to stop this happening?
When could they have intervened?

11. Bystanders
The Flatmate
The Stranger
The Bartender
The Best Friend

12. Bystander Intervention OptionsOR
Decide to Intervene
During the incident
After the incident
Confrontation:
Set limits or express feelings
Change the focus:
Non-participation
Change the subject
Interrupt / distract
Change the person/shift attitudes
Assess norm
Engage allies & bystanders
Make a plan
Develop a support for next step
Offer support to the victim
Indirect
(to the bystander)
Direct
(to the offender)
Adapted from Berkowitz, A. (2013). A Grassroots’ Guide to Fostering Healthy Norms to Reduce Violence in our Communities: Social Norms Toolkit. USA: CDC.
Online at X

13. X

14. Range of Behaviours X Situation- or age-inappropriate or non-mutual
Healthy, age-appropriate, mutually respectful, safe
Situation- or age-inappropriate or non-mutual
Harassment
Sexually abusive & violent
Adapted from Cordelia Anderson via Tabachnick, J. (2010). Making a Difference: Your role in preventing sexual violence on campus. NSRVC.org/saam X 14

15. Golden Rule
Only intervene when it is safe for you to do so. If not safe, in an emergency, dial 999 X

16. DURING AFTER WHEN? Advantages Disadvantages X
Adapted from Berkowitz, A. (2009) Response Ability: A Complete Guide to Bystander Intervention, Beck & Co., chapter 3. X

17. How might you intervene in the moment?

18. Suggestions Shift the focus Confrontation
Interrupt the behaviour (diversion / distraction)
Don’t respond
Don’t laugh or engage
Leave
Deflection – changing the subject
Reframe – change the remark into something positive
Confrontation
Say why it is unacceptable
Say why it bothers you
Raise consequences that the offending person identifies with

19. How might you intervene later?

20. Suggestions Shift the person / change attitude Confrontation
Ask another person to intervene
Offer help to the victim

21. Confrontation (one possible pathway)
Engage with the person
Give reasons why you are concerned
Share how you/others feel
Ask if the offending person understands your point
Look at alternative behaviour/ support them in change (if appropriate)/ signpost
Adapted from Berkowitz, A. (2009) Response Ability: A Complete Guide to Bystander Intervention, Beck & Co., pp.42-44

22. Shift the person / change attitude
Make them understand why they behave as they do and why their behaviour is problematic so you change their attitude
Needs a conversation with respect for all – listening is important
Identify what is underlying the behaviour
Engage in ‘open talk’ – show interest in understanding the person and why they behave as they do
Adapted from Berkowitz, A. (2009) Response Ability: A Complete Guide to Bystander Intervention, Beck & Co., pp.47-51

23. Scenarios - What interventions have been made so far
Scenarios - What interventions have been made so far? - What other intervention options are there? What’s next? - Would you feel comfortable saying/doing this? If not, why not?