Bobcats Care to Intervene: Bystander Intervention

What is a Bystander?

According to the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN), a bystander is a person who is present when an event takes place but isn’t directly involved. A bystander can become an active bystander (will get involved) or a passive bystander (will ignore the situation).

Bystanders might be present when sexual assault or abuse occurs, or they might witness the circumstances that could lead up to these crimes (RAINN, 2016).

Bystander Intervention helps to create an environment where every member of our Texas State campus community feels valued and safe. Identifying situations that are potentially harmful and assuming personal responsibility to help are necessary steps to successfully intervene.

The Bystander Effect

The Bystander Effect is the phenomenon in which someone is less likely to intervene in a problem situation when others are present. The larger the number present, the less likely any of them will get involved. Bobcats Care to Intervene aims to remind us that all of us can play a role in helping others have healthy relationships.

Our Mission

To increase knowledge of sexual and interpersonal violence incidences and to provide a positive framework that demonstrates healthy social environments for how TXST students can safely intervene.

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Helpful Terms