Bystander Intervention: Safe and Effective Ways to Help

Bystanders play a crucial role in interrupting harassment and supporting targets. Safe intervention reduces harm while avoiding escalation. Choose approaches that fit the situation and your comfort level.

Effective strategies empower colleagues to act respectfully, escalate when needed, and reinforce a culture of accountability and care.

• Direct intervention: address the behavior in a calm, clear manner.
• Distract or redirect: shift attention and break the pattern.
• Delegate: involve a supervisor, HR, or security when appropriate.
• Check in with the target: offer support and document concerns.