Resources on Bystander Behavior
Compiled by Alan Berkowitz
July, 2009
Alan D. Berkowitz, Ph.D.
The role that bystanders can play in addressing health and social justice issues is receiving increasing attention. Bystanders have the potential to intervene to prevent violence against women, hazing, when observing prejudicial remarks and behavior, and when individuals engage in behaviors damaging to personal health and well being. Bystander intervention approaches encourage us to trust the voice within that senses when a wrong is being committed and to overcome the barriers that keep us from acting on our concern. This "Guide to Resources on Bystander Behavior" provides an overview of current efforts to foster bystander "response ability" in the form of educational programs, books and other literature, speakers, websites, and visual media.
If you have noticed an omission or would like to suggest additional resources to add to this guide, please contact me at alan@fltg.net.
Written Materials
Berkowitz, AD (2008). What are we really about? Exploring Values within the Organization. In Zeta Tau Alpha (Ed). My Sister: My Responsibility." Indianapolis. Available from zetataualpha@zetataualpha.org
Berkowitz, AD (2009). RESPONSE ABILITY: A Complete Guide to Bystander Intervention. Chicago, Beck & Company. www.alanberkowitz.com
Latane, B & Darley, JM (1970). The Unresponsive Bystander: Why Doesn't He Help? New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Newer, Hank. Bystander Framework. In Zeta Tau Alpha (Ed). My Sister: My Responsibility." Indianapolis. Available from zetataualpha@zetataualpha.org
Tabachnick, Joan (2009). Engaging Bystanders in Sexual Violence Prevention. National Sexual Violence Resource Center (www.nsvrc.org), Enola, PA.
"Response Ability" Educational Program
This program, developed by Mike Dilbeck and Alan Berkowitz to address hazing within fraternities and sororities, has a wide variety of applications and uses.
"A Complete Guide to Bystander Intervention" book (see above)
Lectures, keynote addresses and trainings
Response Ability Facebook Community
Go to www.alanberkowitz.com or www.response-ability-online.com for information
Other resources
Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) and Men Can Stop Rape (MCSR) offer lectures and trainings with a bystander focus. (Go to www.mencanstoprape.org or www.sportinsociety.org/vpd/mvp.php for more information)
Specific bystander intervention skills training workshops are provided in the University of New Hampshire's "Bringing in the Bystander" program and by Alan Berkowitz. (www.unh.edu/preventioninnovations.org, www.know-your-power.org or www.alanberkowitz.com for information)
The University of New Hampshire also has a bystander intervention media campaign (www.unh.edu/preventioninnovations.org, www.know-your-power.org)
Jackson Katz, Alan Berkowitz and Mike Dilbeck offer lectures that address bystander issues.
College and University Bystander Intervention Programs
The Stanford University Student Association has an "I am not a bystander" campaign which solicits pledges from students to not be a bystander and to agree to intervene with respect to social justice and health issues. For information go to: www.assu.stanford.edu/bystander/pledge/
The College of William and Mary has a bystander intervention campaign focusing on sexual assault prevention. For information go to: www.wm.edu/sexualassault/geteducated_community_intervention.php
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's "Green Dot" campaign raises community awareness about acts of violence against women ("red dots") as well as to promote positive behaviors to foster bystander intervention ("green dots"). For more information go to: www.utc.edu/Outreach/TransformationProject/greendot.php
that you would like to see added to this list