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At Union of Brunel Students, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students. The Active Bystander Campaign empowers students to step in, speak up, and help prevent harmful behaviour on and off campus. Whether it's addressing harassment, bullying, discrimination, or any other form of misconduct, you have the power to make a difference.
What is an Active Bystander?
An active bystander is someone who witnesses inappropriate or threatening behaviour and chooses to act or intervene in a way that positively influences the outcome. Whether it’s calling out inappropriate comments, supporting someone in distress, or seeking help, active bystanders play a vital role in building a safer, more respectful community.
When to Activate?
What may stop you from intervening
It’s natural to feel uncertain or afraid when deciding to intervene but remember that doing nothing can often perpetuate the issue. Common barriers include:
- Fear of retaliation: It’s important to assess the safety of the situation before acting. Use strategies like distraction or delegation if you feel uncomfortable.
- Assuming someone else will act: Known as the "bystander effect," this is where individuals are less likely to intervene when others are present. You can break this cycle by taking the first step, even if it’s small.
- Wondering why no one else: Thinking if no one is doing anything, I shouldn’t either. They may believe that believing theirs are in a minority and nobody else thinks this behaviour is wrong.
Adopt the ABCs
Assess for Safety: If you see someone in trouble, before stepping in ask yourself if you can help in a safely. are you physically and psychologically safe? Is the person being harassed physically safe?
Be in a group: There is safety in numbers. It is both easier and safer to call out behaviour or intervene if you’re in a group
Care for the victim: Talk to the person you think may need help
How to be An Active Bystander
Direct Action
If it is safe to do, you can directly intervene in the situation. This can mean calmly calling out the person whose behaviour is inappropriate or offering support to someone affected
Example: Hey, that’s not cool. Let’s all be respectful here, I don’t like that
Distract
Distraction is a subtle yet effective way to de-escalate the situation. It can involve changing the subject, creating a diversion, or engaging one of the parties in a separate conversation. The goal is to shift focus and de-escalate tension without confrontation.
Delegate
If you don’t feel comfortable intervening directly, you can intervene indirectly by asking for help. Approach either a member of staff or campus security. By delegating the responsibility, you ensure that someone with the authority or expertise can handle the situation.
Delay
If the situation is too dangerous to challenge, for instance there is the threat of violence or you are outnumbered, just walk away. Wait for the situation to pass then ask the victim later if they are OK. Or report it when it’s safe to do so – it’s never too late to act.
Strategies for intervening
- Use ‘I’ Statement – change the focus to yourself (e.g. state your feelings, name the behaviour and state how you want the person to respond. This avoid criticising the other person
“I don’t like what you said about those women. Please don’t say that anymore”
- Use social norms: identify what is not usual or accepted behaviour
“Most people I know don’t think it’s okay to speak about women that way”
- Use Empathy: Engage empathy with person behaving inappropriately
“How would you feel if someone did that to you/your sister/your daughter?”
- Silent stare/body language: Communication doesn’t always have to verbal. Sometimes nonverbal communication such as disapproving looks or not more smiling at joke can be equally as effective.
Reporting Concerns or Incidents
At Brunel, we take any reports of harassment or discrimination incredibly serious. As a student you can report incidents of hate crime, sexual assault or online harassment to the Brunel Community & Policing Team. If you wish to report anonymously, you can report an incident without providing your contact details through Brunel’s Report + Support.
Brunel Community & Policing Team: 01895 255786 or security-operations@brunel.ac.uk with non-emergency issues.
Report + Support: https://reportandsupport.brunel.ac.uk/
If you would like some more support with supporting victims of bullying. Please visit the anti-bullying alliance - https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
In an emergency, call the police -999
References
https://www.activebystander.co.uk/how-to-intervene/
https://www.breakingthesilence.cam.ac.uk/prevention-support/be-active-bystander#:~:text=Being%20an%20active%20bystander%20means,friend%20or%20someone%20in%20authority.
https://equality.leeds.ac.uk/support-and-resources/becoming-an-active-bystander/