By-Stander Intervention ~ stay safe ~ use these tips
By-Stander Intervention ~ stay safe ~ use these tips
I started learning similar tips and hints on a bus in Seattle, and then every metropolitan area mass transit meeting folks ;-) Hints like these have saved my butt ~ ~ .
~~ It's a great pdf for printing educational flyers or posts.
~*~
The Four D's of By-Stander Intervention
DISTRACT
Distraction is a subtle and creative way to
intervene. Distract either the harasser or the
target with conversation unrelated to the harassment to derail and de-escalate the situation. Examples:
Ask for directions; Spill your drink “accidentally;”
Pretend you know one of them.
DELEGATE
Bring in a 3rd party to help, possibly someone
with more perceived authority. Examples: Alert
a store manager, bus driver, club bouncer, or someone
else to help intervene. Do not call the police unless
requested.
DIRECT
Respond directly to the aggressor or physically
intervene if necessary. Be confident, assertive, calm.
Examples: walk up to engage a street harasser and
directly ask them to stop their behavior.
DELAY
If you can’t intervene in the moment, you can
check in with the person being harassed afterwards to see if you can do anything to support them,
illustrating that they are not alone. Examples: “Is everything okay? Is there anything I can do?” “Is there someone we can call?” “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”
~*~
The Do's and Don'ts of By-Stander Intervention
DO Make yourself known.
Make eye contact with the person being harassed; ask if they want support. • Move yourself
near the person being harassed. If safe, create distance or a
barrier between that person and the attacker. • If it’s safe
to do so, and the person being harassed consents, record
the incident.
DO Take cues from the personbeing harassed.
Is the person engaging with the harasser or not?
You can make suggestions, “Would you like to walk with me
over here?” Then, follow their lead. • Notice if they are
resisting in their own way, and honor that. (Especially white
folks, don’t police tone of the one being harassed).
DO Keep both of you safe.
Assess your surroundings - are there others
nearby you can pull in to support? • Working in
a team is a good idea. • Can you move to a safer place?
DON’T CALL THE POLICE...
...Unless the person being harassed asks you to
do so! For many communities experiencing
harassment, the police can cause a greater
danger for the person being harassed.
DON’T escalate the situation.
We want to get the person being harassed to
safety, not to incite more violence from the
attacker.
DON’T do nothing.
Silence is dangerous
—it communicates approval and leaves the victim high and dry.
If you feel too nervous or afraid to speak out, communicate
your support with your body.
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