THE RED ZONE

Bystanders play a critical role in preventing sexual violence and other types of harm. A bystander is anyone who witnesses a situation and has the opportunity to help, ignore the situation, or contribute to the behavior.  

Being a bystander does not mean putting yourself in danger. Every situation is different, and effective intervention can take many forms. The most important thing is to choose the safest action available and do something rather than nothing. 

 

One helpful framework is the 4 Ds of bystander intervention.

• Direct: Address the situation directly when it feels safe to do so. 
  • Examples: "Are you okay?", "I don't think they're interested. Let's give them some space.", "That comment isn't okay." Check in with someone who appears uncomfortable or unable to advocate for themselves.
• Distract: Create a distraction that interrupts the situation without directly confronting anyone. 
  • Examples: Start a conversation with one of the people involved. Ask someone to help you find a friend or locate an item. Invite the person to join you somewhere else. Show something on your phone or start a group activity that changes the focus of the interaction.
• Delegate: Ask for help from someone else who may be better positioned to intervene. 
  • Examples: Reach out to a friend, Resident Assistant, bartender, event host, coach, or Public Safety officer. Ask a group of friends to check in together. Share your concerns with someone who has more authority or influence in the situation.
• Delay: If you cannot intervene in the moment, check in afterward. 
  • Examples: Ask, "How are you feeling about what happened?" Offer support and listen without judgment. Help the person connect with resources. Let them know what you observed and that you are available if they need support.

Consent is an explicitly communicated, reversible mutual agreement in which all parties are capable of making a decision. Consent is informed, voluntary, and actively given. Consent exists when all parties exchange mutually understandable affirmative words or actions indicating their agreement to participate voluntarily in sexual activity.

• Explicitly communicated. This means that someone communicates a “yes” to any and all sexual activity, ideally through words and actions. Consent MAY NOT be inferred from silence, passivity, lack or resistance or lack of an active response. A person who does not physically resist or verbally refuse sexual activity is not necessarily giving consent.
• Reversible. This means that someone reserves the right to change their mind. Consent can be withdrawn at any time and should be respected. Once withdrawal of consent has been expressed through words or actions, sexual activity must cease.
• Mutual agreement in which all parties are capable of making a decision. This means that someone who is physically incapacitated from alcohol or other drug consumption (voluntarily or involuntarily), or is unconscious, unaware, asleep, or otherwise physically impaired is considered UNABLE to give consent.
• Informed. This means that someone is informed of and has consented to all activity, including things like taking pictures or video, and has knowledge of a person’s sexual health status (e.g., sexually transmitted infections) before consenting to sexual activity. Other activities that might also be considered here are outlined in the policy regarding sexual exploitation.
• Voluntary. This means that if someone is hesitant, confused, or unsure, they should not feel coerced or threatened to consent. It also means that individuals with a previous or current intimate relationship do not automatically give either initial or continued consent to sexual activity.
• Actively given. This means that consent to one form of sexual activity does not constitute consent to all forms of sexual activity. Consent must be actively given throughout sexual activity.

The following further clarifies the meaning of consent:

• Each participant in a sexual encounter must obtain consent for all sexual activities. Consent to one form of sexual activity does not constitute consent to engage in all forms of sexual activity.
• Consent consists of an outward demonstration indicating that a person has freely chosen to engage in sexual activity. Relying on non-verbal communication can lead to misunderstandings. Consent may not be inferred from silence, passivity, lack of resistance or lack of an active response alone. A person who does not physically resist or verbally refuse sexual activity is not necessarily giving consent.
• If at any time it is reasonably apparent that either party is hesitant, confused, or unsure, both parties should stop and obtain mutual verbal consent before continuing such activity.
• Consent may be withdrawn by either party at any time. Once withdrawal of consent has been expressed through words or actions, sexual activity must cease.
• A person who is physically incapacitated from alcohol or other drug consumption (voluntarily or involuntarily), or is unconscious, unaware, or otherwise physically impaired is considered unable to give consent. For example, a person who is asleep or passed out cannot give consent.
• People with a previous or current intimate relationship do not automatically give either initial or continued consent to sexual activity. Even in the context of a relationship, there must be mutually understandable communication that clearly indicates consent to engage in sexual activity.