The Principled and
Courageous Role of a
Bystander
Purpose

The purpose of the workshop is to introduce Marygrove
students to the College’s response to Violence Against
Women Act (VAWA) SaVE act and to increase the
students’ knowledge of policies and resources on campus
for victims of sexual assaults. Using the Primary
Prevention approach, the participants will also learn about
positive bystander attitudes and actions. They will gain
increased understanding of the importance of community
involvement. Finally, the student will discover their
ethical responsibility to intervene when witnessing a
person who is valuable to potential sexual assault.
Learning Outcomes

At the end of the workshop the student will be able to:
 Reflect on the need for community involvement and responsibility
when violence and abuse are present and/or occurring.
 Reflect on the myths and facts about the victim and perpetrator of
sexual assaults.
 Identify common components of Bystander Interventions.
 Describe safe and positive options a bystander may take to prevent
harm or intervene in risky situations.
 Identify Urban Leadership Principles that are applied when taking
action as a bystander.
 List the workshop topics dealing with the issues of violence and
healthy relationship development.

This training is the first in a series of
trainings that will engage Marygrove
students in the process of developing
healthy relationships and the elimination
of violence against another person, male
or female.
Agenda

 Relevant Urban Leadership Principles
 Rape Myths, Facts & Stats
 What is the Role of the Bystander?
 The Bystander Pledge
Urban Leadership
Principles in Action

 Courage/Risk-taking
 Awareness of Self
 Awareness of Others
 Empowerment
Rape Myths & Facts
Roger Williams University

 Myth: Sexual Assault is caused by lust or
uncontrollable sexual urges and the need for sexual
gratification.
 Fact: Sexual Assault is an act of physical violence and
domination that is not motivated by sexual
gratification.
Rape Myths & Facts
Roger Williams University

 Myth: Once a man gets sexually aroused, he can't
just stop.
 Fact: Men do not physically need to have sex after
becoming sexually excited. Moreover, they are still
able to control themselves after becoming aroused.
Rape Myths & Facts
Roger Williams University

 Myth: Women often lie about sexual assault or
falsely accuse someone of sexual assault.
 Fact: Statistical studies indicate false reports make up
two percent or less of the reported cases of sexual
assault. This figure is approximately the same for
other types of crimes. Only one out of 10 rapes are
actually reported. Sexual Assault by someone the
victim knows are the least likely to be reported.
Rape Myths & Facts
Roger Williams University

 Myth: Women provoke sexual assault by their
appearance. Sexual attractiveness is a primary reason
why a perpetrator selects a victim.
 Fact: Perpetrators do not select their victims by their
appearance. They select victims who are vulnerable
and accessible. Victims of sexual assault range in age
groups from infants to the elderly. Sexual
attractiveness is not an issue.
Rape Myths & Facts
Roger Williams University

 Myth: Sexual assault is a topic that only concerns women,
and men do not have to be concerned about sexual
assault.
 Fact: According to recent sexual assault crisis center
statistics, men, both straight and gay, suffered 10 percent
of the sexual assaults reported in the United States last
year. In addition, men have wives, friends, sisters,
mothers and daughters who may someday need
assistance in coping with sexual assault. Sexual Assault is
a concern for everyone.
Rape Myths & Facts
Roger Williams University

 Myth: If a woman really did not want to be sexually
assaulted, she could fight off her attacker.
 Fact: Even if the perpetrator is not carrying a
weapon, the element of surprise, shock and fear or
the threat of harm can overpower a victim.
Additional Facts about
Sexual Assault

 Women and girls are the vast majority of victims:
nearly 1 in 5 women – or nearly 22 million – have
been raped in their lifetimes.*
 Men and boys, however, are also at risk: 1 in 71 men
– or almost 1.6 million – have been sexually
assaulted during their lives.*
Young People are
Especially at Risk

The majority of sexual assault victims are young
between the ages of 16 and 24. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 80% of
female victims were sexually assaulted before they
turned 25.* College students are particularly
vulnerable, with 1 in 5 women being sexually assaulted
while in college.***

 Other populations are also at higher risk of being
sexually assaulted, including people with disabilities and
the LGBT community.*
 Most victims know their assailants: 51% of female
victims were sexually assaulted by a current or former
intimate partner, and 41% were sexually assaulted by an
acquaintance. Assault by strangers , in contrast, accounts
for only 14% of the total. Of men and boys, 52% report
being sexually assaulted by an acquaintance and 15% by a
stranger.*
The vast Majority of
Perpetrators
are Male

98% of female and 93% of sexual
assault victims report that their
assailants were male.*
The Impacts of
Sexual Assault

Sexual assault victims often suffer from a wide range of
physical and mental health problems that can follow
them for life – including depression, anxiety, chronic
pain, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, eating
disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They
are also more likely than non-victims to develop
alcohol and substance abuse problems and attempt or
consider suicide.**
Social Media

Victims may be further traumatized by social media –
through which the details of an assault can “go
viral.” While this is an un-researched issue, a number
of high profile sexual assault cases have drawn
attention to this relatively new and disturbing
dynamic.**
Campus Sexual Assault:
A Particular Problem

 As noted, 1 in 5 women have been sexually assaulted
while in college.***
 Reporting rates for campus sexual assault are also
very low: on average only 12% of student victims
report the assault to law enforcement.***
College Life &
Sexual Assaults

The dynamics of college life appear to fuel the
problem.
Most college victims are assaulted by
someone they know; parties are often the site of these
crimes, and many victims are abused while they’re
drunk, under the influence of drugs, passed out, or
otherwise incapacitated. This is called “incapacitated
assault.”
Alcohol &
Sexual Assaults

Perpetrators often prey on incapacitated women, and
sometimes surreptitiously provide their victims with
drugs or alcohol. Perpetrators who drink prior to an
assault are more likely to believe that a woman’s
drinking itself signals that she is interested in sex. ***
References

*Black, M.C., Basile, K.C., Breiding, M.J. Smith, S.G., Walters, M.L., Merrick,
M.T., Chen, J., & Stevens, M.R. (2011) The National Intimate Partner and Sexual
Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center
for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
**The White House Council on Women and Girls (2014). Rape and sexual
assault: A renewed call to action. Office of the Vice President.
***Krebs, C.P., Lindquist, C.H., Warner, T.D., Fisher, B.S., & Martin, S. L.
(2007). The Campus Sexual Assault (CSA) Study (221153). Washington, DC:
National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. [Hereafter cited as
CSA (2007)].; Krebs, C.P., Lindquist, C. H., Warner, T.D., Fisher, B.S., & Martin,
S. L. (2009) College Women’s Experiences with Physically Forced, Alcohol- or
Other Drug-Enabled, and Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault Before and Since
Entering College. Journal of American College Health, 57(6), 639-647.
References

****Kilpatric, D.G., Resnick, H.S., Ruggiero, K.J., Conoscenti,
L.M., & McCauley, J. (2007). Drug facilitated, incapacitated, and
forcible rape: A national study (NCJ 219181). Charleston, SC:
Medical University of South Carolina, National Crime
Victims Research & Treatment Center.
Rape Myths and Facts - Roger Williams University
rwu.edu › ... › Sexual Assault Roger Williams University
Fact: According to recent sexual assault crisis center
statistics, men, both ... College students are particularly
vulnerable, with 1 in 5 women being sexually assaulted
while in college. ... **The White House Council on Women
and Girls (2014).
Reflection

The issue of Sexual Assaults:
In what ways were you already aware of the
issue of sexual assaults and violence against
women?
Share your thoughts about the Rape Myths
and Facts?
Urban Leadership
Principles in Action

 Courage/Risk-taking
 Awareness of Self
 Awareness of Others
 Empowerment
The Bystander Effect

 A phenomenon in which the greater the number of
people present, the less likely people are to help a
person in distress. When an emergency situation
occurs, observers are more likely to take action if
there are few or no other witnesses.
Don't stand by and rely on others to help,
take action yourself.
Primary Prevention Model:
Empowering the Bystander

Who is the concerned Bystander?
 A person or group of people who intervene in a safe
and positive way to prevent harm or provide
resources to a person in need.
 Many times, it only takes one person to call the
police, yell loudly to get someone’s attention, or step
in and intervene
Value - Based Decisions

Is it worth helping someone in need, providing a friend
resources for help, saving someone's life or just sitting
by and hoping someone else will help. The decision is
yours –
What Would You Do?
Why Should you Intervene?

It is the right thing to do.
You would want someone to help you.
Someone needed help.
Friends should look out for each other.
So the situation won't escalate.
SOURCE: Step UP! - Southern Illinois University
safe.siu.edu/step-up/ (Salukis Step Up Series !)
Reflection

Bystander Intervention:
What are some of your reactions and
thoughts regarding the suggestion that
Bystanders should become involved?
In what ways do you see someone
intervening?
Questions to Ask
Before You Take Action

 Am I aware there’s a problem or risky situation?
 Do I recognize that someone needs help?
 Do I see others and myself as part of the solution?
Questions to Ask During the
Situation

 How can I keep myself safe?
 What are my available options?
 Are there others I may call upon for help?
 What are the benefits/costs for taking this action?
If you find yourself in an
Emergency Situation

• Stay calm
• Evaluate the situation
• Consider options – direct and/or indirect
• Offer support but don’t be part of the problem
• Know your limits – walk away if it’s unsafe!
If you find yourself in a NonEmergency Situation

• Consider frequency, duration and severity
• Define the problem and the barriers
• Determine the goal; Develop a game plan
• Set boundaries – don’t enable
• Maintain respect
• Consider options; Know resources
How to Intervene Safely

 Call police or someone in authority.
 Tell another person. Being with others is a good idea
when a situation looks dangerous.
 Yell for help.
 Ask a friend in a potentially dangerous situation if
he/she wants to leave and then make sure that
he/she gets home safely.

 Ask a victim if he/she is okay. Provide options and a
listening ear.
 Call the campus security at 313- 927-1411.
 Tell the person involved about counseling on
campus, tell them to call 313-927-1474 for support
and options.

SOURCE: Information from Bringing In the BystanderTMA
Prevention Workshop for Establishing a Community of
Responsibility ©Plante, Banyard, Moynihan, Eckstein
For more information about Bringing in the Bystander contact www.unh.edu/preventioninnovations
prevention.innovations@unh.edu
Reflection

The Pledge:
 Read and discuss the contents of the pledge with
your group.
 What are some of your thoughts about the
contents of the pledge?
 Are you ready and willing to take the pledge?
I pledge to:

 Express my outrage about rape and all forms of
sexual violence.
 Talk to other community members about sexual
violence.
 Interrupt sexist jokes that objectify women and girls.
I pledge to:

 Seek information about why sexual violence is so
prevalent in our society and how I can help prevent
it.
 Change anything I may be doing that contributes to
sexual violence.
I pledge to:

 Support and encourage men and women to take
responsibility for ending sexual violence.
 Listen to my friends’ and partners’ fears and
concerns for safety.
I pledge to:

 Pay attention to a person’s cries for help and take
action.
 Challenge images of violence against women in
advertising and entertainment.
I pledge to:

 Support women and men working together to end
sexual violence.
 Nurture myself and be aware of my personal safety.
I pledge to:

Believe and support women, children,
and men who have experienced any
form of sexual violence.
SOURCE: Originally developed by Bringing in the BystanderTM.
www.unh.edu/preventioninnovations
Ongoing Prevention
Workshops 2015







Developing Healthy Relationships
Engaging Men in the Prevention of Sexual Assaults
Safe Date
The Hook-up Culture & Sexual Assaults
Sexual Assault & College Drinking
Sexual Assault Prevention: The Principled and
Courageous role of a Bystander
 Climate Survey coming in January 2015
Thank you for completing the
Evaluation.