Bystander awareness
At some stage in all our lives we may encounter a friend, colleague, peer or neighbour in a potentially unsafe situation.
We may see the bruises on her face, cuts on her hands, listen to the screaming late in the night but not know whether or how we should intervene.
Bystanders take action
Our intervention may be seen as an unwanted intrusion, or meddling in affairs which don’t concern us. But domestic violence (DV) in our communities is everyone’s business.
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If we are to stop violence and make our communities, schools and businesses more safe for everyone, then, as bystanders we need to step up and take action.
It’s not always easy to identify if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or is in an abusive relationship. Violence and abuse are experienced in many different ways. Violence and abuse can include emotional abuse, sexual abuse and financial abuse.
4 things bystanders can do?
As a friend or colleague you can support someone you know who has told you they are experiencing violence by:
- Believe what they tell you and making sure they know the abuse is not their fault.
- Be supportive, listen, be encouraging and open to what they have to say.
- Encourage the person to seek professional help and discuss the types of options they may have.
- Offer to go with them when they meet with a support service.
