In 1964, Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death near her home in New York City while approximately a dozen people heard or witnessed parts of the attack. Only a couple of these witnesses called the police, and high priority was not given to the attack. This event sparked a nationwide discussion about what we now call “the bystander effect.”
We tend to think that a bystander is someone who witnesses a major event. The truth is we are all bystanders, every day, to a variety of events that contribute to many forms of violence, including sexual assault. We are bystanders to countless little comments, actions, and other forms of abuse that occur daily and lead up to what we think of as an act of sexual violence. If we only intervene at the time of a major “event,” then we miss hundreds of opportunities to prevent the event in the first place.
In many cases of sexual violence, people place blame on an individual, often times the victim. People say things like, “How could she let this happen?” or “Why didn’t she say something?” The truth is sexual violence is an issue that deeply affects every individual involved in a community that allows sexual violence to occur. The question people should be asking is “how can we let this happen?” or “why don’t we say something about it?” Sexual violence is an issue that belongs to everybody.  
So why don’t we say something about it? Well, there is something called the bystander effect that gives us some insight. Being aware of the bystander effect can help us understand what happens in situations that lead to sexual violence, and once we are aware of it, it is much easier to overcome it and do something to help. The bystander effect is the phenomenon in which someone is less likely to step up and intervene in a situation when others are present than when he or she is alone. Research shows that people will help 80 percent of the time when alone and help only 20 percent of the time when others are present.
The good news is it doesn’t take a superhero to overcome this phenomenon. Anybody and everybody has the power to overcome the bystander effect and there are even five simple guidelines to do it. One is to be aware of what is going on around you. You have to notice an event is taking place in order to do something about it. The second is to consider if a situation needs intervention. Often times it is really difficult to know, so ask! The third step is to assume responsibility. Anyone can be a leader in these situations. The fourth step is to decide how to intervene, and the fifth step is to understand how to intervene safely. Interventions may range from having a direct and honest conversation with a friend to calling 9-1-1.
In the athletic department, we expect that student-athletes learn about the bystander effect and have the courage to step up in situations, whether major events or minor ones that contribute to sexual violence. Whether you are an athlete, a member of a fraternity or sorority, a member of ASUO, an honors student, a distinguished professor, a coach, or any member of this community, you have an opportunity to be a leader every day and to step up.  
Learn more about bystander intervention. Start stepping up this week by participating in Sexual Assault Prevention Week programming.  
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