Be a Prosocial
Bystander
Learn how to recognize potentially harmful situations and comments related to dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Learn how to respond safely, appropriately, and effectively.
Find immediate resources
Click the button below to find resources if you’re in need of assistance.
Learn how to recognize situations
The Bystander Intervention Curriculum is currently booked out for the semester, but stay tuned for availability.
How can you respond?
Welcome to the 5Ds. These are methods you can use to be a prosocial bystander. The way you use these methods will look different for everyone.
DIRECT
You directly call out the behavior as harmful and unacceptable.
DISTRACT
You try to remove the victim from the situation in a subtle way.
DELAY
You offer support after the incident occurs.
DELEGATE
You get someone else to intervene or get involved with you.
DOCUMENT
You screenshot, record, note, or photograph the situation.
Below you’ll find some compromising scenarios where stepping in could make a huge difference. How will you respond?
Let’s put these
ideas into practice.
A group of people
make sexual
comments
to your friend.
now what?
Click on a 5Ds method to see an example of a prosocial bystander action.
DIRECT
DELEGATE
DELAY
Tell the group directly to stop their sexually harassing behavior.
Report the behavior to an authority figure.
After the situation occurs, ask your friend if they’d like to talk to a counselor and help them find resources.
Remember, this is just an example of one way to use this method. There are many different ways you can use this.
A co-worker victim
blames a domestic
violence survivor.
now what?
Consider how you feel in this scenario. If you’re nervous about stepping in, keep in mind that you have options.
Being a prosocial bystander is different in every situation, for every person. You can choose which method you are the most comfortable with.
Not afraid to say something?
DELAY
Tell them that regardless of what they think happened, that it’s never the victim’s fault.
Nervous about how they’ll respond?
DELEGATE
Contact your human resources representative or immediate supervisor and ask that the staff receive training on these issues.
Your best friend and their partner
start yelling at each other
in the next room.
now what?
How did you intervene?
You experienced an uncomfortable situation that required you to step in.
Share Your Story
If you witness a compromising situation, determining how you should intervene can be tricky. The 5Ds are the recommended methods for prosocial bystanders, but the way they are used can look different for everyone.
If you have questions on how to intervene, be sure to check out our resources.
Have a story about a time that you intervened?
Would you like to share a story about a time you intervened in an uncomfortable situation?
Share My Story
Please note that any submissions entered may be shared at future AVA events. You may choose to remain anonymous in your submission.