Bystander Intervention Training

Bangor University understands the value of providing Bystander Intervention training to students and aims to make this training available to all first-year students in their first semester of study.

What is a Bystander?

A prosocial bystander is someone who witnesses a problematic event or unhealthy behaviour and intervenes in a positive way. The intervention sends a powerful message to the wrongdoer and lets others know that it is socially acceptable to challenge such behaviour.

Training students in Bystander Intervention is particularly effective at preventing sexual violence and all forms of harassment because empowering students to be active bystanders situates people of all genders as part of a positive and inclusive community.

What is Bystander Intervention Training?

Bangor University has developed its own, in-house 90 minute Bystander Intervention training session for students. The training aims to introduce students to the concepts of active bystander interventions and demonstrates safe and effective ways that students can intervene in lower-level problematic events and behaviours.

The training is normally delivered in a lecture format, by a facilitator, trained in Bystander Intervention theory. It is normally timetabled alongside an existing first-year module and can be delivered in person or on-line.

Can I take part in Bystander Intervention training if I am not a first-year student?

The University seeks to offer Bystander Intervention training those involved in leadership and representative positions at the Students’ Union. These sessions are normally open to all students. Students will be made aware of these sessions through the Students’ Union Newsletters and the Student Bulletin.

Can I take part in Bystander Intervention training if I am a member of staff?

Bangor University has also developed a Bystander Intervention awareness training session for staff, which provides information about the training for students, in the context of the wider prevention and support work which is carried out at Bangor. Staff can see the training course and its contents and learn more about how Bystander Intervention training is presented to students.

Staff are made aware of sessions through the staff bulletin.