{"id":242,"date":"2025-03-06T14:49:28","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T14:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/never-ok\/?p=242"},"modified":"2026-02-26T14:26:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T14:26:14","slug":"dont-do-nothing-the-reality-of-being-an-active-bystander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/never-ok\/2025\/03\/06\/dont-do-nothing-the-reality-of-being-an-active-bystander\/","title":{"rendered":"Don't Do Nothing: The Reality of Being an Active Bystander"},"content":{"rendered":"

Being an active bystander isn\u2019t about being a hero. It\u2019s about recognising when something isn\u2019t right and choosing to act. <\/span><\/i>It\u2019s about doing something, not doing nothing.<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Bath, all new students complete Active Bystander training as part of their student induction. This year, after the training, 95% of students told us they believed their actions could make a difference, which is great. However, feeling confident in theory and taking action in the moment are two very different things. The reality is, stepping in when something feels wrong can be incredibly difficult and feel overwhelming. So, let\u2019s talk about why that is\u2014and why it\u2019s still worth trying.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why didn\u2019t I do anything?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of us want to do the right thing, but when the time comes, doubts can creep in. Maybe you worry that speaking up will make things awkward or you\u2019re afraid of making the situation worse. Maybe you assume someone else will step in. These are all normal reactions. But if we all assume someone else will act, no one does.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news is that being an active bystander doesn\u2019t mean having the perfect response\u2014it just means doing something rather than nothing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what should I do next time?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Two important things to remember:<\/span>
\n\u2714<\/span> What you do doesn\u2019t have to be big<\/span>
\n\u2714<\/span> What you do doesn\u2019t have to be perfect<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A lot of people picture bystander intervention as loudly calling someone out or stepping into a confrontation. In reality, it is often the smaller actions that can make as much if not more of a difference and keep everyone safe. This could be choosing not to laugh at a harmful joke, raising an eyebrow at an inappropriate comment, or calmly steering a friend away from a tense situation\u2014these are all forms of bystander intervention.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And if you do choose to speak up directly in the moment? You don\u2019t have to say the perfect thing. You might stumble over your words or feel unsure, but that\u2019s okay. The aim is not to deliver a flawless speech\u2014it\u2019s to <\/span>disrupt<\/span><\/b> harmful behaviour and <\/span>support<\/span><\/b> the person affected. Even a small action can change the tone of a situation and show others that certain behaviours won\u2019t go unchallenged.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u26a0<\/span>\ufe0f Your safety comes first<\/span>.<\/span><\/b> Being an active bystander never means putting yourself in danger. Only intervene if it is safe to do so. If you, or other are in immediate danger call the police on 999. Keeping yourself safe is just as important as supporting others.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It might be awkward - but that\u2019s okay.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be honest\u2014it might feel awkward. But if someone is at risk of harm, or being made to feel uncomfortable, their discomfort is far more important than ours. A moment of awkwardness is a small price to pay for standing up for what\u2019s right.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And, it might not be as awkward as you think. After Active Bystander training, 89% of Bath students said they would ask a stranger who looked upset if they were OK. 90% said they would call out homophobic language in a group chat. While what we <\/span>think<\/span><\/i> we\u2019d do and what we <\/span>actually<\/span><\/i> do can be different, these stats show what Bath students want to do, and what they think is the right thing to do. If you speak up, chances are others around you will feel the same way\u2014and might even follow your lead.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The 5Ds in Action<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You might remember the 5Ds from training\u2014five different ways to intervene:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n