Prevention Education and Advocacy

Distraction Tips for Bystander Intervention

Remove either person from the situation: “Hey, I think someone’s looking for you in the other room. It seems important.”

Strike up a conversation with either person. “Hey, aren’t you in my Calculus class? How do you think you did on that test?”

Get a friend to help you distract the individuals in the situation. It may be easier to intervene when you have someone else backing you up.

Divert the individuals’ attention by “accidentally” spilling your drink on the potential aggressor.

If one of the people in the situation is your friend, tell them that you’re tired and want to leave/go home.

If the individuals are already in a room alone together, it is not necessarily too late.  Open the door yourself or knock until someone comes to open it.

Be the awkward third wheel “hey, you going to watch Netflix upstairs? I’ll join you. House of Cards is my favorite!”

Call attention elsewhere “Oh My God! Is that Gus the Goose over there?”