Bystander Intervention
What Is It and What Are Factors That Affect Bystander Behavior?
In the context of sexual harassment, bystander intervention occurs when an individual who observes sexual harassment is able to speak up and/or act in such a way that discourages or resists the harassment that is occurring (Griffith, 2022; Holland et al., 2016). Bystanders can intervene as a response to bias, microaggressions, and/or harassing behaviors with the goal of interrupting and discouraging the harm that may occur in the incident (Griffith, 2022; Holland et al., 2016). Researchers have outlined a set of five consecutive steps that lead to action by a bystander: by first noticing the event or harmful situation, then understanding that the event was a problem, taking personal responsibility for responding to the event, deciding how best to intervene, and ultimately taking action (Banyard, 2011, 2015; Latané and Darley, 1970). There are also multiple ways for a bystander to intervene (Holland et al., 2016):
- Responding directly (e.g., stopping the person committing the harm) or indirectly (e.g., getting someone else to directly intervene or helping the person who is the target),
- Engaging the person committing the harm, the person who is the target(s), and/or other bystanders, and
- Acting before, during, or after the harmful incident
Many factors influence a bystander’s willingness to intervene. Early research indicates that bystander intervention usually occurs when bystanders are among those with whom they feel comfortable (e.g., friends; Levine and Crowther, 2008; Levine et al., 2005), consider people who have been harmed as members of their in-group (Christy and Voigt, 1994; Levine and Crowther, 2008; Levine et al., 2005), and identify people who are committing harm as unfamiliar (e.g., strangers; Fischer et al., 2006; Shotland and Straw, 1976). Individuals’ willingness to intervene is also affected by their attitude toward discouraging sexual harassment (Banyard, 2008; Banyard and Moynihan, 2011), emotional arousal (Batson et al., 2007; Dovidio, 1991; Fischer et al 2006; McMahon, 2010; Potter et al., 2011), assessment of individual cost-risk (Banyard, 2008; Banyard and Moynihan, 2011; Brown and Yufik, 2009), and gender (Banyard, 2008; Burn, 2009; Elias-Lambert et al., 2023). Studies also show that individuals will intervene if they have increased understanding of sexual assault (Banyard, 2008; McMahon, 2010), strong personal beliefs that do not support rape myths (Elias-Lambert et al., 2023; Frese et al., 2004; Frye, 2007; McMahon, 2010), and a deep sense of responsibility to act (Banyard and Moynihan, 2011; Burn, 2009; Latané and Darley, 1970).
By engaging other witnesses of a harmful incident, bystander intervention can motivate the broader community to assume responsibility in addressing sexual harassment and promoting “a culture of support, not one of silence” (National Academies, 2018, p. 176). Research shows that individuals who demonstrate bystander behavior serve as models of positive helping behavior and create new social norms for how a community should respond to sexual harassment (Banyard, 2011; Banyard et al., 2004). Additionally, academic communities that endorse bystander intervention help “to create a culture where abusive behavior is seen as an aberration, not as the norm” (National Academies, 2018, p. 176).
