Bystander Help
We dream of a #ViolenceFreeRMWB
Family violence is a complex issue. And while the responsibility of domestic violence or sexual assault lies with the perpetrators of these crimes, we ALL PLAY A ROLE in creating a culture of respect and preventing family violence in our region.
As individuals, workplaces, family units, social, religious and community groups, it is on us to become Engaged Bystanders and engage in community-based prevention. If we make a commitment to become Engaged Bystanders and learn strategies for speaking up to challenge some of the behaviours and social norms that contribute to a culture of violence, then we can play an active role in ending family violence in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo.
If I’m a bystander and care about preventing violence, what can I do to safely help?
Step 1: Pay attention to the surroundings and people around you.
Step 2: Take smart and safe action.
Other helpful tips:
Becoming an Engaged Bystander can be difficult
When witnessing an abusive or violent situation:
If you have witnessed an incident of abuse, or if you suspect a friend is experiencing violence at home, finding a supportive way to get involved may seem overwhelming. We may fear that our instincts are wrong, that we’re being nosy, that we may make the situation worse, or that we’re unqualified to intervene.
These are all valid emotional responses to witnessing violence that make it hard to speak up or take action.
When speaking up against social norms:
When we’re speaking up against the social norms that contribute to domestic violence, we may fear coming across as argumentative or intrusive. We may fear embarrassment or retaliation, or we may not know what to say when we want to say. When it comes to speaking up against sexism, men and women both fear the perception of being too politically correct, aggressive, or marginalizing themselves.
It’s understandable why we hesitate to speak up when faced with an opportunity to be Engaged Bystanders.
But the more we understand safe interventions and what social norms we need to look out for, the more comfortable we can become when speaking up, and the more effective we’ll all be in creating a safe and #violencefreeRMWB.
What do we mean by Bystander?
A Bystander (or witness) is someone who sees or is present for an actual incident of Family Violence. They may not know what to do or be afraid to act.
An Engaged Bystander is someone who plays some role in the act of harassment, violence or abuse that they witness and choose to take action – they may speak up, discourage, interrupt or even intervene in the violence or abuse that’s occurring.
*It’s important that you do not put yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. If you feel that yourself or the victim is in danger, always call 911. Below you will find some help..
24-hour information and referral line connecting you to social, health and government services.