Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) promotes a comprehensive approach to violence prevention and high risk behavior. The program targets community members as potential bystanders and encourages students to take on leadership roles by choosing to “Stand Up & Step In” to incidents of harassment, abuse or violence before, during or after the fact. MVP engages students through awareness, education and bystander intervention skills practice. Read the article about the grant for the ‘RoosREACT Program.
Why was the program started?
The program originated in 2005 to promote bystander intervention into incidents involving sexual assault and harassment. Because bystander intervention can be applied to many other issues, the program was expanded to include all violence, bullying, self-destructive behavior and hate crimes in 2007.
Bystander Invention opportunities are infinite. You don’t have to be everywhere or do everything, just be aware of potential warning signs of trouble around you. That is where you can have the biggest impact. Remember: Everday, Everyone!
Bystander Intervention Opportunities
Scenario 1
You have noticed that one of the freshmen on your floor is staying in their room most of the time. He/She does not interact with other students and seems to be very withdrawn. His/her roommate has reported that he/she sleeps all the time, hardly says anything and does not seem to be going to class very much.
What can you do?
- Talk to the student and ask them what the problem is.
- Ask the roommate or other students to keep an eye on them to see if they notice any behaviors of concern.
- Talk to another RA or the Area Coordinator and ask them for suggestions.
- Talk in private to a counselor and ask their opinion.
Scenario 2
One of the freshmen in your cluster comes to you and tells you that her roommate, Kelcie, has been receiving threatening text messages and Facebook comments. The friend is concerned because Kelcie has been very upset by the comments and is talking about leaving AC because “everyone hates her.”
What can you do?
- Talk to Kelcie and ask if you can help.
- Talk to the friends that did it. Tell them how you feel about what they did.
- Talk in private to a counselor or faculty member.
- Write a letter to the editor condemning such behavior.
Scenario 3
At a party, you overhear a guy you know trying to get an obviously drunk woman to go home with him and have sex. She’s not just buzzed; she’s stumbling over her own feet. You know the woman and she seems reluctant.
What can you do?
- Talk to the guy. Remind him that he has to be careful in dealing sexually with a drunk woman who is legally unable to give consent.
- Gather some of friends to get him to leave her alone.
- Find one or more of her friends and urge them to take her home.
- Tell the host or hostess of the party that you’re worried about the situation, and warn them that they might have some legal responsibility to act.
Scenario 4
At a party you see a guy having an argument with his girlfriend. Both of them have been drinking. The girl is becoming increasingly upset and starts hitting and scratching her boyfriend.
What can you do?
- Try to get the girls attention and calm her down.
- Find some of the girls friends to intervene.
- Try to get the guy to leave the room until his girlfriend calms down.
Other Bystander Intervention Opportunities
› If I saw someone who was intoxicated left behind by her friends, I would tell them to take her with them or help her to call another friend.
› If I suspect a friend has been sexually assaulted, I let her/him know I am here if they want to talk.
› If I see a stranger grab, push or insult a woman, I say something or go get help or get someone else to.
› If I see a friend take an intoxicated person up the stairs, I stop and ask what is going on – or create a distraction to interrupt the situation.
› I talk to my friends about consent… and how he or she should wait until their partner verbalizes his/her feelings.
› If I choose to leave a party early, I account for the people I came with.
› If I know or suspect that a friend is in an abusive relationship (physically, sexually, or emotionally), I tell them they can confide in me and help connect them with local resources for help.
› If someone needs my help and I don’t have the answer, I tap my resources and find someone who does.
› I work to ensure organizations I am involved in collaborate with prevention efforts on campus.
› I strike up conversations with my friends about the importance of intervening in potentially high-risk situations.
› If someone needs my help and I don’t have the answer, I tap my resources and find someone who does.
› I work to ensure organizations I am involved in collaborate with prevention efforts on campus.
› I strike up conversations with my friends about the importance of intervening in potentially high-risk situations.