Bystander intervention - meaning and definition
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Definition
Bystander intervention is safely stepping in, directly or indirectly, when you witness harassment, a potential assault or someone at risk.
At a glance
- Safely stepping in when you see harassment or someone at risk.
- The "5 Ds" are Direct, Distract, Delegate, Delay and Document.
- Intervention does not have to mean confrontation.
- Checking in with the person afterwards can make a real difference.
- Personal safety comes first.
In detail
Training programmes often teach the "5 Ds": Direct (speaking up), Distract (interrupting the situation), Delegate (getting help from staff, security or others), Delay (checking on the person afterwards) and Document (recording, if the person harmed wants it and it is safe).
Intervention does not require confrontation. Asking a friend if they want to leave, alerting bar staff about a very intoxicated person, or simply checking in can make a real difference. Personal safety comes first.
In a sentence
- I used a bit of bystander intervention and asked her if she wanted to come and find her friends.
- The bar staff had bystander intervention training and knew how to help.
Where the word comes from
Builds on psychology research on the "bystander effect" from the late 1960s, which studied why people in groups often fail to help. Training programmes based on it spread from the 1990s onwards.
Common questions
What are the 5 Ds of bystander intervention?
Direct (speaking up), Distract (interrupting the situation), Delegate (getting help from staff, security or others), Delay (checking on the person afterwards) and Document (recording, only if the person harmed wants it and it is safe).
What if I do not feel safe stepping in?
You do not have to confront anyone. You can alert staff or security, call your local emergency number, or check on the person later. Your own safety comes first.