What you can do as an active bystander to prevent sexual assaults
I’m sure you’ve heard the statistic that one in three women and one in six men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. You have probably also heard that most sexual assaults happen to those between the ages of 15-24 — a demographic that the majority of university students fall into.
Despite the risk of sexual assault for university students being high, people tend to think that sexual assault will not happen to them. The rampant cliché that sexual assault happens in dark alleyways by strangers does not help.The reality is that most sexual assaults happen in a private space, such as a dorm room, and by someone whom the victim knows (87 per cent of charges laid in Ontario are on someone the victim knew previously).
It is important that we take steps to stop sexual assault and to support survivors. This may seem like a daunting task, but you don’t need to change the laws or put yourself at risk in order to help. It can be as simple as drawing attention to inappropriate comments or jokes that are made. For example, on campuses, jokes and phrases like ‘that exam just raped me’ are made all the time. Letting people know that these comments are unacceptable is one way to start changing rape culture.
Being an active bystander also involves supporting survivors. If someone tells you that they have experienced a sexual assault, listen to them and believe them.If they don’t want to discuss it with you, don’t pry. Instead, ask them how you can support them. Everyone responds to sexual assault differently, so it is best to see how they want to be supported.
The Draw The Line campaign aims to encourage bystanders to take responsibility. Their posters include phrases such as:
- “Your bro says he’s excited to hit the club Friday and pick up drunk girls. Do you go along with him?”
- “Your wasted friend staggers out of the bar with some guy. Do you stay and keep dancing?”
- “Your friend passes out on the coach at a party. Do you leave her there?”
It may be a daunting task to stop a sexual assault from happening, but stepping forward in order to prevent one can be much easier. What you do could be as simple as checking in with your friend, making up an excuse to get your friend out of a potentially dangerous situation, or asking someone who is sober to intervene.
Do not wait for someone you know to be sexually assaulted before you decide to step in.
Photo by Tasha Falconer