SAAM: How Bystanders Can Make a Difference

Sexual violence is not just an individual issue — it’s a community issue. 
We all have the power to step in and create a culture of safety and respect. This Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), as we focus on the theme “Communities Act Together,” we recognize the role of bystanders in preventing harm.
Being an active bystander doesn’t mean putting yourself at risk. It means recognizing when something isn’t right and taking steps — big or small — to interrupt it. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to care enough to try.

The five Ds of bystander intervention
1. Direct: Speak up or step in.
Example: “It’s not happening. They’re too drunk to go home with you tonight.”
2. Distract: Interrupt the moment.
Example: If someone’s being cornered at a party, step in with, “Hey, I need your help with something!”
3. Delegate: Get someone else to help.
Example: Ask a bartender or bouncer to check in if something feels off. It’s better to say something than worry about “causing a scene.”
4. Delay: Check in afterward.
Example: “I noticed what happened earlier. Are you OK?”
5. Document: Record the details (only if safe) and offer it to the person affected.
Example: If you witness public harassment, take a video or notes, but ask the person first before sharing it.

Where you can intervene
• At work: Shut down inappropriate jokes, support co-workers who speak up and report harassment.
• In social settings: Watch for discomfort. Step in early.
• In public: Use distraction or delegation.
• Online: Challenge harmful comments. Report abuse. Support survivors who speak out.

How to respond to harmful comments
Calling something out doesn’t have to be aggressive; it just has to be clear. Try:
• “That’s not funny.”
• “I don’t think that’s OK.”
• “Come on, you know better.”
• “Why would you say that?”
These moments matter.

This is the moment
Every action, no matter how small, makes a difference. Bystander intervention helps prevent harm and shows survivors they’re not alone.
If you’ve ever wondered how to help, this is the moment.
Join us on Wednesday, April 30, for our Denim Day March at Bell Tower Park downtown.
We’ll gather at noon to walk in solidarity, raise awareness and stand up for survivors.
Wear denim. Bring a friend. Be visible. Be loud.
Let your jeans be your protest and your presence be your power, because showing up does make a difference.

When communities act together, we rise.