Bystander intervention is when an individual or group takes action to de-escalate or address a hostile, harassing, or inappropriate situation. This can involve stepping in to stop harmful behavior, offering support to those affected, or seeking help from others to resolve the issue. 

By intervening early, bystanders can help diffuse escalating situations before they turn violent, protecting both staff and students. Bystander intervention also creates a proactive culture where harmful behaviors are addressed quickly, sending a clear message that violence, harassment, or aggression will not be tolerated. This early intervention not only prevents immediate harm but also promotes long-term safety and respect.

*Please Note*Interventions should be done safely, and it is never advisable to put yourself or others in a position for potential harm.

It is important to remember the 5 D’s when applying bystander intervention:

1. Distract-directly approach the situation by distracting attention away from the person causing harm, allowing the person who is being harmed to leave the situation. 
2. Delegate-get help from other coworkers or students. Remember to scan the situation, assess the risks involved, and determine how best to intervene. Once you have assessed and determined, delegate tasks to others around you for support.
3. Document-document the situation by taking notes and using only facts, not feelings about the situation. Provide your notes to those affected in case they would like to use them to pursue taking further action.
4. Delay-once the incident is over, always check in with the person/patient/student who was harmed. Additionally, offer resources and options to report the incident if they desire to.
5. Direct- directly intervene in a situation and speak up about the injustice or harm. Always be firm and clear.

Some examples of how to apply bystander intervention on the health campus could include:

• Addressing Verbal Abuse from Patients: If you overhear a patient verbally abusing another staff member, making inappropriate comments, or shouting at them, you could intervene by offering to take over for your co-worker or asking if the patient is okay.  
• Interrupting Discriminatory/Biased Comments: If a colleague makes a discriminatory or biased comment about a patient or another staff member, you can intervene by politely challenging the comment.
• Supporting a Colleague Who is Overwhelmed: If a colleague is visibly overwhelmed by a high workload or stressed due to a difficult patient situation, a bystander can offer support by stepping in to help with tasks, offering words of encouragement, or suggesting they take a walk or pause, to prevent burnout, allowing them to regain focus and control and feel supported.
• Reporting Unsafe Practices:
  If you observe unsafe practices, such as improper use of medical equipment or inadequate sanitation procedures, you can intervene by speaking to the person involved or reporting the incident to the appropriate supervisor or safety officer.
• Stopping Bullying Among Colleagues:
  If you observe a staff member bullying or intimidating another (for example, making belittling remarks about a colleague's abilities), you can step in by addressing the issue directly or support the person being bullied.
• Intervening When a Patient’s Rights Are Violated:
  If you see another staff member dismissing a patient’s concerns, ignoring their wishes, or violating their rights, you can intervene by respectfully reminding the staff member of the patient’s rights and advocating for the patient.
• De-escalating Conflicts Between Family Members and Staff:
  In situations where family members are becoming aggressive or confrontational with healthcare staff, a bystander can step in to help diffuse the tension. They could calmly engage the family member to understand their concerns, while also assuring them that the staff is doing everything possible for the patient's well-being.

Some examples of how to apply bystander intervention on campus could include:

• Interrupting Discriminatory Comments:
  If you overhear a colleague making discriminatory remarks about a student or another colleague based on their race, gender, or other personal characteristics, apply bystander intervention by politely addressing the comment.
• Supporting A Peer Who Is Being Excluded:
  If a student or staff member is being excluded from a conversation or group discussion, you can step in to include them. For example, try saying, “Hey, I think you might have something valuable to add to this conversation,” or directly invite the excluded individual into the discussion.
• Addressing Workplace Bullying:
  If you observe one colleague bullying another—whether through teasing, mocking, or undermining their work—you can intervene by addressing the behavior. It is also crucial to follow up with the bullied colleague afterward and offer support.
• Intervening in a Tense Student-Staff Interaction:
  If a student becomes agitated or aggressive towards staff, a bystander can help de-escalate the situation by stepping in to offer calm support. For example, a staff member might gently intervene with, “I understand you’re upset; how can we help resolve this?”
• Reporting Suspected Harassment or Misconduct:
  If you notice or suspect harassment or misconduct is happening between a staff member and a student (e.g., unwelcome advances or inappropriate behavior), you should intervene by reporting the situation to HR, campus security, and their supervisor. This helps ensure the issue is handled appropriately and prevents further harm.