Violence Prevention

Bystander Intervention

Preventing violence is everyone's responsibility! 

What is bystander intervention?
When you see a situation that gives you a gut feeling that something isn’t right, you have the power to step in and prevent violence.

Bystander intervention is safely, effectively stepping in to help when you see a situation that is harmful or where someone may need support. Being an active bystander starts with noticing the warning signs of potential violence and making the decision to act by using the 3 Ds of bystander intervention.

What are the 3 Ds?
The 3Ds of bystander intervention are tactics we can use to interrupt harm and provide support. Active bystanders may use different 3D tactics in different situations, or they may combine multiple approaches.

  • Direct: Directly address the situation in the moment to de-escalate, either by addressing the person causing harm or supporting the person being harmed.
  • Delegate: Get help with intervening from friends, other bystanders, or people with more power in the situation.
  • Distract: Create a distraction that allows the person being harmed to leave the situation safely.

Learn how to identify signs of violence and use the 3 D tactics effectively by attending one of our Bystander Intervention Trainings througout the semester.

Open Bystander Intervention Trainings

In this 1.5 hour workshop, students develop skills to identify potentially violent situations and safely and effectively intervene to decrease instances of violence in the USF community and create a culture of collective support. During the workshop, students explore USF policy, signs and dynamics of power-based violence, barriers to intervening, and the 3D bystander intervention approach. Each session equips USF students with the tools and confidence to effectively intervene to decrease instances of interpersonal violence on campus. Learn how to step in and prevent violence, safely!  Click here for ALL of our semester offerings.

Objectives: By the end of the 1.5 hour Bystander Intervention training, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the 3 D's (Direct, Distract, Delegate) to safely intervene in a potentially violent situation.
  • Identify the meaning of interpersonal violence, sexual harassment, sexual battery, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, and consent
  • Discuss possible implications of the bystander effect
  • Describe personal barriers to intervening
  • Recall USF policies pertaining to alcohol and consent
  • Recognize the collective effort needed to reduce violence in USF's community

Are you a USF faculty/staff member or a student organization wanting to learn more about Bystander Intervention? Email va@usf.edu to request a training for your department or group!