Reading time: 4 minutes
Gender-based violence doesn’t always look extreme or obvious. On campus, it can show up in everyday moments:
- Someone in your class is making a joke that goes too far
- Someone being pressured or intimidated
- Any behaviour that makes another person feel unsafe or disrespected
And when gender-based violence isn’t always physical or obvious, it can be hard to know when (or how) to step in.
Even when we know a situation is wrong, taking action can feel hard. A lot of the time, it’s easier just not to get involved and think “maybe someone else will do something”.
The problem is that most people are thinking the same thing.
When everyone waits for someone else to do something, no one acts. That’s where bystander intervention comes in. Preventing gender-based violence is something we can all play a role in.
What is a bystander?
A bystander is anyone who sees or has become aware of harmful, unsafe, or disrespectful behaviour.
You don’t need to be 100% certain that something is ‘serious enough’ for you to act. If you feel any discomfort – that’s usually a sign that something is wrong.
What can I do to help?
Firstly, it’s important to realise a few things:
- There is no ‘right’ way to intervene
- Your safety should come first – don’t step in if it’s not safe
- Stepping in doesn’t have to be complicated or risky
- Small actions can still make a big difference
There are 5 different methods you can use when choosing to call out disrespectful behaviour and be an active bystander: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct.
Choose whichever method feels safest and appropriate for you.
Distract: Engage directly with the person who is being harassed and talk to them about something completely unrelated to the harassment. Ignore the harasser. Best used when: you’re unsure what the reaction might be if you directly intervened.
- Starting a different conversation or changing the subject – “class starts in 5 minutes, we should probably head off ”
- Asking a random question
- Use light humour to interrupt the behaviour/take the focus off it
Delegate: Ask someone nearby, who could have authority in the space, to help you intervene. Tell them clearly what you’d like them to do. Best used when: you don’t feel safe or sure of how to handle the situation on your own.
- Reporting it to Safer Community
- Telling a lecturer, unit coordinator, or tutor
- Asking a friend or trusted person for advice
- Asking someone nearby for help
Document: Record or take notes, but only if someone is already helping the person being harassed. Always ask the person what they want to do with your documentation. Best used when: you can’t safely step in, but evidence could help later.
- Note the time and place the incident occurred
- Note what was said or done, and who was there
- Saving messages or screenshots
- Take a photo/video if it’s safe and legal
- Ask the person what they want done with this information (only share with their consent)
Delay: Even after harassment, you can help someone by checking in on them, asking if they’re okay, or if there’s anything you can do to support them. Best used when: you feel uncomfortable intervening at the time.
- Checking in with the person afterwards, asking if they’re okay
- Helping the person access support or reporting options
Direct: After assessing your safety and ensuring you are not going to escalate the incident, respond directly by naming the inappropriate behavior and confronting the person doing harm. Best used when: you feel safe, can stay calm, and there’s a low risk the person will escalate or turn on you.
- This can look like saying “That’s not okay” or “They said no, leave it at that”
Reporting to Safer Community
If you have witnessed something on campus and are not sure what to do about it, or don’t feel comfortable stepping in at the time, you can always report the incident to Safer Community.
You can report an incident/concern to Safer Community:
- Report it online
- Report the incident via the SafeZone app
- Call the Safer Community Team on (08) 9266 4444.
- Dial 000 in an emergency
You can also learn about what happens next after submitting a report.
Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected – on and off campus. When we notice harm and choose to act, even in small ways, we help set the standard for what’s acceptable (and what’s not acceptable) at Curtin.
