Support and Intervention

Bystander Intervention

What is a bystander?

Someone who witnesses or observes acts or situations that create the potential for violence or danger. While they may not be directly involved in the situation, they are present and, in a position, to discourage or prevent an incident of potential violence, harassment, or discrimination.

What is bystander intervention?

When individuals take positive action in the face of social injustice or when another person is in need of assistance.

What are the Five D's of Bystander Intervention?

If you see someone who might need help, here are five ways you can support them:

Distract

Draw attention away from the intensity of the interaction. You can start a conversation with the person who needs help, create a physical distraction, or make a scene.

Delegate

Ask others around you for help diffusing a situation. This can include delegating to people you know, finding a stranger, or using on-campus resources.

Document

Document to have proof or evidence for after a situation. This works best when two guidelines are met--make sure someone is already intervening and make sure you provide any documentation you gather to the person who needed help. Documentation can include cellphone cameras/audio recording or a written account of the situation. Do not cause further harm. Avoid sharing any videos or photos of the incident on social media or with the news.

Delay

Check in on the person after the situation has ended. Checking in can be a way of validating someone's experiences and showing them that they are not alone.

Direct

Confront the situation by setting a clear boundary with the person who may be causing problems. Always consider your physical safety before confronting the person causing harm. If you feel that it is not safe for you to intervene, please delegate to UCCS Police at (719) 255-3111 or via the UCCS Safe App.

Things to Remember

  • It is important to communicate empathy and compassion to someone when they are telling you their story of harassment or violence.
  • Be open to hearing what that person has to say. It is helpful to simply sit and listen without offering advice or direction.
  • Ask how you can provide support to the individual.
  • Allow the individual to make their own decisions regarding the next steps.
  • Know your limits – If you feel like the information is difficult to hear, it's okay to set boundaries.
  • Offer to get them in contact with someone that will be able to provide support to them.
  • If you are a mandatory reporter, let the person know you will be notifying the OIE about the incident.
  • Help connect them to confidential on- and off-campus support resources.

Reporting Resources

Remember that you have several resources on available on campus to help you be a better bystander. You can contact the Office of Institutional Equity, The Office of the Dean of Students, the UCCS Police Department, and the Wellness Center (this is the only confidential resource on campus).  

Did you know that uccs.edu has a comprehensive reporting page that allows you to access all reporting forms in one place? Reporting forms include: 

  • OIE
  • Residence Life & Housing
  • Student Mental Health & Wellbeing
  • Student Conduct
  • Student Basic Needs
  • Safe2Tell
  • CU Ethics Line
  • Academic Ethics Code 

The website can be found at Report It | UCCS.