Bystander Intervention Stories
Village
In class last night, we had a discussion on intimate relationships. It included everything from things people tend to list as important qualities in a partner to trust and satisfaction to power dynamics. A classmate in the back of class with me made a statement about his opinions on trusting his partner.
Friend or stranger, we owe it to each other to get involved
I was at a college party with a friend and didn’t know anyone else there. The host, “Anna”, was very drunk by the time I had arrived, only making brief appearances between trips to the bathroom and her bedroom. I heard commotion outside Anna’s bedroom door. A few guys were standing outside the door.
Intervening at all points in the spectrum of sexual violence.
In 10th grade I met BG. BG always made inappropriate sexist, homophobic, and racist comments. We had many mutual classes and friends so I saw and heard him a lot. I knew BG’s comments were wrong but I chose not to say something in fear of upsetting my new friends. One day at lunch, I had just come from my law class and we were learning about rape and sexual assault.
An "evil stare” to interrupt rape culture
Here is my story of a small action -- only an "evil stare" to interrupt rape culture. And this story shows how just saying where we work may make a difference. This story appears in my blog.
I am the proud mother of a 10 year old activist
My ten year old son is a playground social activist. He reported to me that for two days the boys in his class were playing a game they named "rapist". Game is basically tag - you run up to someone, touch them, and say "I raped you." Then a new rapist is it. So my son tells me he told the boys they needed to change the name of the game because it was inappropriate.
