Sexual assault and relationship abuse impact many people on college campuses. Nationally, it’s estimated that one in five women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes and that they are most vulnerable between the ages of 16 and 24. College aged men and women also experience relationship abuse at high rates. As an outsider, you may wonder what you can do to help. 

Become an active bystander

Most people don’t commit sexual assault or hurt their partners. Celebrating that is one part of the solution. Another important part is learning to recognize the signs that someone is in danger and stepping in to prevent it. This is called being an active bystander. Active bystanders learn how to recognize and safely intervene in potentially dangerous situations. Sometimes this means distracting someone who appears to be targeting someone who is too drunk to consent. Other times, it means reaching out to UNH staff or the police for help. 

The ABCs of Intervention: “Active Bystanders Care”*

The ABCs of bystander intervention offer some helpful pointers on how to be an effective bystander.

Questions to Ask Before I Take Action:

• Am I aware there is a problem or risky situation?
• Do I recognize someone needs help?
• Do I see others and myself as part of the solution?

Questions to Ask During The Situation:

• How can I keep myself safe?
• What are my available options?
• Are there others I may call upon for help?
• What are the benefits/costs for taking action?

Decision to Take Action:

• When to act?
• Resources: people, phone, etc. available?
• ACT

How to Intervene Safely:

• Call police or someone else in authority.
• Tell another person. Being with others is a good idea when a situation looks dangerous.
• Yell for help.
• Ask a friend in a potentially dangerous situation if he/she wants to leave and then make sure that he/she gets home safely.
• Ask a victim if he/she is okay. Provide options and a listening ear.
• Call the local crisis center for support and options.
• Or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE.

_{*Information adapted from Know Your Power™. The Know-Your-Power™ social marketing campaign is a research project developed and evaluated by Prevention Innovations at the University of New Hampshire.}