Domestic Diversions

Helping or hating: how to intervene when you see bullying or harassment

CNN’s opinion page suggest ways in which innocent bystanders can stand up to hate. The authors advocate the “4 D’s of Bystander Intervention”:
Distract (deescalate by bringing the harasser “out of the moment”).
Delay (until the harassment ends, then asking the target how you might help).
Delegate (ask another for assistance).
Direct intervention (peacefully inform the harasser that what they are doing is wrong).

Emily May and Kio Stark write (excerpt):
Remember that your goal is helping the target, not fighting the harasser. . . . [A]s little as a knowing glance shared with the target can reduce the trauma associated with harassment, while the presence of bystanders who do nothing can actually increase the trauma.

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