New Bystander ‘Step Up!’ Intervention Program Aims to Promote Social Awareness
It happens all too often. A person comes upon a concerning situation or witnesses an injustice that calls for help – yet they do nothing. It is referred to as the bystander effect, a common occurrence in today’s society that has gained considerable attention of late, thanks in part to eyewitness accounts and video surveillance shared on the news and through social media.
In many instances, inaction is a result of fear and/or simply not knowing what to do. In an effort to counter the bystander effect, the University of La Verne has adopted the Step Up! Bystander Intervention Program. Aimed at teaching students to be proactive in helping others, the new comprehensive program provides tools, resources and information on how students can begin taking action.
“Step Up! gives students the necessary tools to stop a negative situation before it happens,” said Director of Campus Safety and Transportation Services Stan Skipworth.
There are five decision making steps outlined in the program:
- Notice the event
- Interpret the event as a problem
- Assume personal responsibility
- Know how to help
- Implement the help
A newly launched La Verne website explores 10 examples of situations or causes in which students are called to be vigilant and implement the Step up! action steps. From depression to discrimination to sexual assault, issues that affect students the most are outlined with scenarios, questions, considerations, action steps and resources.
Other resources available to students are videos, handouts, worksheets – all geared toward helping students overcome their fear of taking a stand.
“As a university, we must protect each other. Nothing is worse than seeing a bad situation unfold and not acting, knowing that you could have done something to prevent it,” said President Devorah Lieberman.
To learn more about the Step Up! program, visit https://laverne.edu/step-up.
