Bystander intervention: #StepInNotAside
Harassment is unwanted behaviour that makes someone feel uncomfortable or intimidated.
It can happen anywhere, at work, in public spaces, or online. When people witness this, they often want to help but may not know how to do so safely.
#StepInNotAside is a campaign designed to empower our borough with practical, de-escalating strategies to support someone who is being made to feel uncomfortable in any environment.
What Does “Stepping In” Look Like?
Stepping in doesn’t always mean speaking up directly.
#StepInNotAside is built around the '5Ds' framework. Here are five practical strategies that give you flexibility and control when intervening:
Distract
The goal of distraction is to interrupt harassment without confrontation. You can shift the focus of the harassment without anyone knowing you are ‘intervening’ at all!
Delegate
Ask someone else to step in if you do not feel that you can yourself.
Delay
Even if you can’t intervene during the harassment, you can still make a meaningful difference afterward by checking-in on the person who was harassed.
Share resources or offer to help them report the incident if they want to. See Get help and support.
Direct (only if safe)
Calmly ask the harasser to stop, if you’re confident it won’t escalate the situation.
Always call 999 in an emergency.
Document
Documenting the harassment can be done by taking notes on the location, time, appearance of the harasser and the things that are being done/ said to the person being harassed.
You can share this with the person who was harassed once the harasser leaves or if using the Delay method.
How to keep safe while intervening
Bystander intervention isn’t about being a hero - it’s about making thoughtful, safer choices in difficult moments.
Think about:
- Your physical and emotional safety
- The safety and autonomy of the person being harmed
- De-escalation whenever possible
- Call 999 in an emergency
