Facilitation Considerations
Length/Peer Delivery
The intended 90 minute length aligns with other post-secondary based bystander programming and it is appropriate to be delivered via peers when they have been adequately trained (Baynard et al., 2009; Mujal et al., 2019). While this workshop is informed by best available evidence, it is important to recognize that the published research does not necessarily include or represent all the diversity we find on our campuses (Evans et al., 2019; Hoxmeier et al., 2020; McMahon et al., 2020). As such, we invite and encourage you to thoughtfully tailor the message framing, scenarios, and structure to meet the needs of your audience.
The 4Ds Model
This training uses the 4Ds Model of Active Bystander Intervention. There are many versions and slight adaptations to this model available online, in purchasable programs and in the academic literature. If there is an aspect of the model that seems unclear or does not appear to fit into your context, you are encouraged to explore online resources that might work better. You may also want to explore various resources prior to delivering the training to deepen your own knowledge and understanding.
Examples of resources on the 4D Model:
- McMahon, S., Lowe Hoffman, M., McMahon, S. M., Zucker, S., & Koenick, R. A. (2013). What would you do? strategies for bystander intervention to prevent sexual violence by college students. Journal of College and Character, 14(2), 141-152. doi:10.1515/jcc-2013-0019
- Hollaback!’s 5Ds of Bystander Intervention Training. In 2012, Hollaback! partnered with the bystander program Green Dot (who pioneered the Three D’s of bystander intervention) to develop tools to help people intervene when they see harassment happen. In 2015, they expanded 3Ds to 4Ds to include “delay.” In 2017, they the 4Ds to 5Ds by including “document.”
- “The Four Ds of Bystander Intervention: How To Make The World A Better Place”. (online magazine article, Abbey Fox, 2013)
Intervening with online/digital violence
The need to intervene during instances of online/digital violence is increasingly common. While violence and intervening online could be a separate training on its own, it may come up in this training as well. If you have additional time you may want to explore this area with learners. The resources below may be helpful tools for expanding this training to address these issues.
- Gender Equity Victoria in Australia has developed videos and a toolkit specific to addressing online harassment.
- Pen America has developed an Online Harassment Field Guide, drawing specifically from the experiences and input from communities who are targeted most often.
Below are some considerations for specific groups of learners.
Engaging Men
Research has consistently indicated that men participating in bystander intervention training may benefit from additional support and/or alternative message framing (Katz 2018; Leone & Parrott, 2018; Reynolds-Tylus, et al., 2020). Because th