Module 5 Bystander Intervention as a Peer Education

Module 5 Bystander Intervention as a Peer Education Technique

Module 5 Outline 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. What is a bystander? Reflection Activity Barriers to Being an Active Bystander Ambivalence Intervening Guidelines Dealing with Resistance Module Review

Discussion What is a bystander?

What Is a Bystander? �Bystander: An observer of a situation or potential situation in which a friend or stranger may experience harmful or hurtful acts. �An active bystander is one who intervenes in this situation. �A passive bystander is one who does not intervene.

IMPORTANT NOTE �Being an active bystander does not necessarily mean you would put yourself in harm’s way to step into a situation. �You can be an active bystander without jeopardizing your own safety. �Think: If I intervene, will someone have to step in and be a bystander for me?

Activity Personal Bystander History

Discussion Barriers to Active Bystanding

Barriers to Active Bystanding �Negative experiences �Support �Risk to you �Gender, cultural, and social roles �Emotional state �Peer pressure �Self-confidence

Ambivalence Four themes of ambivalence regarding bystander intervention: ◦ Social influence �Look to others’ behaviors and reactions ◦ Evaluation apprehension �Fear of negative judgement if we act ◦ Diffusion of responsibility �Someone else will address the situation ◦ Pluralistic ignorance �No one else believes as we do; political correctness

Intervening Guidelines �Be ready ◦ Prepare yourself, mentally and physically. �Identify the behavior �Appeal to principles ◦ Call out the behavior, not the person. ◦ Most people are good people. �Set limits ◦ Don’t cross a line. �Find Allies ◦ Strength in numbers. �Be persistent ◦ Don’t get too disappointed.

Discussion Intervening With a Friend Versus a Stranger

How to Intervene With a Friend �I care about you. �This is what I see. �This is how what you do makes me feel. �I want you to understand where I am coming from. �We can work through this together. �I will support you if you need it.

Dealing With Resistance �The best way to deal with resistance is with nonresistance. �Three ways to do so: ◦ Reflective responses ◦ Reframing the resistance ◦ Emphasizing their right to disagree and personal choica/control

Reflective Responses �Acknowledge, don’t fight, the resistance. �Reflect what you hear: ◦ “So, it sounds like that brought up some feeling for you? ”

Reframing the Resistance �If someone is defending themselves/their actions, put it in a new perspective: ◦ “You’re right, a lot of people say things like that. However, that doesn’t mean that it is OK and you should perpetuate it. ”

Dealing With Resistance �Emphasize their choice and right to disagree. �Remember, people have free will: ◦ “You clearly have the right to make your own choices; this is just my perspective of how what you’ve said can impact others. ”

Being an Ally in Bystander Behavior �Sometimes, being the first person to intervene in a situation is hard. It’s even harder with no support. �This plays into your role as a role model as a peer educator.

Bystander Videos �Would you have intervened? Why or why not? �How could you have intervened? �What would the end goal of your intervention have been? �What would you have done?

Video 1 (VIDEO)

Video 2 (VIDEO)

Video 3 (VIDEO)

Activity Personal Contract

Discussion Personal Contract

Module 5 Review �What is the difference between an active and a passive bystander? �What are some reasons why someone would not intervene in a situation? �What are the four themes of ambivalence to bystander activity? �How do you intervene with a friend versus a stranger? �What are ways to meet resistance with nonresistance?