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Know Your Power & Stand up to Sexual Abuse and Harassment

Group of students gathered around and contributing to a poster mural outside Boole Library during Bystander Intervention Week 2019

Everyone has a role to play in preventing relationship and sexual violence. Unfortunately, it’s possible you will encounter incidents of abuse, and when you do you can choose to be an active bystander and make an intervention, or alternatively, walk past. With the right skills, you can be the difference by helping others, stepping in and speaking up.

Learn more about becoming an active bystander by participating in UCC’s Bystander Intervention Programme. To get started, view the short introduction video below. You’ll then be ready to commence the training programme. Accessible via Canvas, it provides all the resources necessary to equip you with the skills to safely intervene in instances of sexually abusive or violent words and actions.

Introduction to the Bystander Intervention Programme

What exactly is involved?

Complete 5 on-line modules: each takes 40 mins and can be done at your own pace. We know how busy your workload is so we have designed it to allow you to work the 5 short workshops into your own schedule as suits you best.
Attend an interactive workshop: this takes 45 minutes. Simply sign-up and turn up.
Submit a reflective response: this is your personal reflection on the programme, you choose the medium and the content - e.g. painting, poetry, dance, creative writing or an essay of 1,000 words.
Secure your award: on completing all of the above, you will be awarded a UCC Bystander Intervention Digital Badge.

Why should I take part - I’m busy, I don’t need more work to do!

The programme is designed so you can complete it in your own time and at your own pace, doing as much or as little, depending on your workload. If you’re keen to get your award before the end of a semester, we suggest setting an hour aside each week well in advance of study week and exams, to complete the 5 workshops. Then sign-up & participate in the sixth and final workshop. To make life easier, with the learning fresh on your mind, submit the reflective piece soon after.

What will I learn?

You will learn about consent and the boundaries surrounding sexual assault, rape and abusive relationships, about how to recognise the links between sexist attitudes, and gender-based violence and where and how to seek help. All of this enables you to develop your skills and confidence to intervene in any setting.

...but, I already know about consent?

Consent is of course a fundamental requirement of all inter personal interactions. However, the Bystander modules will support you to recognise unacceptable behaviour and provide you with the skills to intervene to support someone (a friend or stranger) who is at risk of experiencing sexual abuse or is being subjected to violent words and/or actions. The skills will empower you to both identify and respond, safely and effectively, to a range of challenging situations.

...so, what does an intervention look like?

An effective intervention does not typically require dramatic actions. It can be as simple as asking someone if they are ok, moving someone away from a situation or danger, distracting the parties involved, using your body language to signal disapproval or indeed support, listening, referring someone to a service, or simply listening to them. Through the scenarios, role-plays, action steps and resources embedded in the Bystander Intervention programme, you better identify unacceptable and dangerous behaviour and be empowered as an active bystander. You will contribute to cultural change and a safer third level experience.

Additionally, you will learn when to intervene, which can be at any time, either before during or after an event. Crucially you will learn the Golden Rule: only intervene when it is safe for you to do so. If it is not safe, in an emergency, call 112, or 999.

For more FAQs, please visit the Bystander Intervention website's FAQ page

Click 'Next' to find out more about what you will learn.

Website: bystanderintervention.ucc.ie

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Contact: bystander@ucc.ie