We All Have a Role to Play
Creating a safe, respectful and inclusive university community is not solely the responsibility of safeguarding teams, managers, academics or security staff.
Every member of our community can help contribute to a culture where people feel safe, valued and supported.
A bystander is anyone who witnesses, hears about or becomes aware of behaviour that may be inappropriate, harmful, unsafe or concerning.
You do not need to be directly involved in a situation to make a positive difference.
What Is Bystander Intervention?
Bystander intervention is about recognising when something may be wrong and taking safe, appropriate action.
This does not mean placing yourself at risk or becoming personally responsible for resolving the situation.
Often, small actions can make a significant difference.
Examples include:
- Checking if someone is okay.
- Interrupting a situation safely.
- Seeking help from others.
- Reporting concerns.
- Offering support after an incident.
Why Does It Matter?
Many people who experience:
- Harassment
- Bullying
- Sexual misconduct
- Discrimination
- Domestic abuse
- Stalking
- Hate incidents
may feel isolated or unsure how to seek help.
Sometimes knowing that somebody noticed, cared or offered support can make a significant difference.
Bystander intervention helps create communities where unacceptable behaviour is less likely to be ignored or normalised.
Recognising Situations of Concern
Not every situation is obvious.
Sometimes concerns develop gradually.
Examples may include:
In Social Situations
- Someone appears uncomfortable with unwanted attention.
- A person is being pressured to drink alcohol.
- Someone appears too intoxicated to make informed decisions.
- A person is being isolated from their friends.
In Academic or Workplace Settings
- Repeated exclusion of an individual.
- Bullying or inappropriate jokes.
- Humiliating comments.
- Persistent unwanted contact.
Online
- Cyberbullying.
- Harassment.
- Offensive comments.
- Sharing private information.
- Group chat exclusion.
In Relationships
- Controlling behaviour.
- Monitoring someone's whereabouts.
- Excessive messaging.
- Signs of coercion or intimidation.
The Four Ds of Bystander Intervention
A useful way of thinking about intervention is the "Four Ds" approach.
You do not need to use every option.
Choose the safest and most appropriate response for the situation.
Direct
Address the situation directly if it feels safe to do so.
Examples:
- "Are you okay?"
- "Let's give them some space."
- "That comment isn't appropriate."
Direct intervention should never place you at risk.
Distract
Create an interruption that changes the situation.
Examples:
- Start a different conversation.
- Ask someone to help you with something.
- Invite a person to leave a situation with you.
- Change the focus of attention.
Distraction can often be effective without creating confrontation.
Delegate
Seek support from someone else.
Examples:
- Contact security.
- Speak to a manager.
- Speak to a lecturer.
- Seek support from a colleague.
- Contact emergency services where necessary.
Asking for help is often the safest and most appropriate response.
Delay
If immediate intervention is not possible, check in afterwards.
Examples:
- "I saw what happened. Are you okay?"
- "Would you like to talk?"
- "Do you know what support is available?"
Support after an incident can be just as valuable as intervention during it.
Looking Out for Friends
Friends are often the first people to notice when something is wrong.
You may notice:
- Changes in behaviour.
- Withdrawal from social activities.
- Increased anxiety.
- Fear of another person.
- Changes in attendance or engagement.
Sometimes simply asking:
"How are you doing?"
can open an important conversation.
Looking Out for Colleagues
The same principles apply in workplaces.
You may notice:
- Distress.
- Isolation.
- Bullying.
- Harassment.
- Changes in behaviour.
- Signs that someone may be struggling.
You do not need to solve the problem yourself.
Offering support and encouraging access to appropriate help can be valuable.
Supporting Someone After a Disclosure
If someone tells you about an experience of:
- Sexual misconduct
- Domestic abuse
- Harassment
- Stalking
- Discrimination
- Bullying
Try to:
✓ Listen.
✓ Remain calm.
✓ Take them seriously.
✓ Ask what support they need.
✓ Signpost them to appropriate services.
Avoid:
✗ Investigating.
✗ Pressuring them to report.
✗ Making promises you cannot keep.
✗ Taking control away from them.
Safety Comes First
You should never place yourself at risk when intervening.
If a situation feels unsafe:
- Seek assistance.
- Contact appropriate services.
- Move to a safe location.
- Call emergency services where necessary.
Your safety matters too.
What If I Am Not Sure?
Many people worry about:
- Getting it wrong.
- Overreacting.
- Misunderstanding the situation.
If something does not feel right, it is often worth checking in, seeking advice or discussing concerns with an appropriate member of staff.
It is usually better to seek guidance than to ignore a concern completely.
Reporting Concerns
If you witness or become aware of behaviour that causes concern, you can raise concerns through the University's Report and Support platform.
Reports can be made:
- With contact details.
- Anonymously.
You do not need to be directly affected by a situation to seek advice or raise concerns.
Key Message
You do not need to be an expert to make a difference.
Small actions, taken safely and appropriately, can help create a community where people feel supported, respected and able to seek help when they need it.
Looking out for one another is everyone's responsibility.