Workshop empowers bystanders in assault prevention

Spill your drink. Say something. Stare.

If you see a scene that could lead to sexual assault, do something, said Sarah Robinson, director of IUSA Women’s Affairs. Bystander courage was the message of Wednesday’s workshop on sexual assault prevention. The Jill Behrman 5k committee and Office of Women’s Affairs presented the workshop in the Student Recreational Sports Center Auditorium.

Almost all the attendees announced they came for a class requirement, but they energetically answered questions and discussed sexual assault scenarios with speaker Robinson.

One scenario in particular spurred debate among the students.

If a guy slips a date rape drug into a girl’s drink and sexually assaults her, is it fair to say she should have been more careful?

A few students said they didn’t see a problem with saying the girl should have been more cautious if she didn’t want to be assaulted. Robinson allowed the discussion to continue, until the students came to their own conclusion.

“I thought it was really important that one girl came out and acknowledged that is a subtle form of victim blaming,” she said. “It was important that it came from a student and not from me.”

Bystanders can be those who witness a scene or hear a conversation that supports non-consensual sexual behavior.

Robinson presented another scenario:

A girl and guy are drinking at a party, and he’s trying to get her alone. She’s hesitant. Bystanders see the interaction.

“I would go into my mama mode and talk to them.”

“I would have all of my friends stare at him so we can draw attention to it.”

“If he’s bigger than me, I don’t want to mess with him.”

Even shy and non-confrontational people can be active bystanders, Robinson said. Her advice in this situation was to intervene through distraction, delegation or direct action. For example, she said, say there’s a car getting towed outside, get a friend involved or ask questions.

“What I really hoped everyone walked away with was the idea that all of them could be bystanders and have the potential to prevent sexual assault,” she said. “Or they could find a way to intervene that was comfortable and natural for them.”

— CJ Lotz