The role of "bystander intervention" in hazing prevention

Everyone has a role to play in preventing hazing and its associated harms. There are many different ways that you can step in or make a difference if you see someone at risk. Doing so is frequently referred to as “bystander intervention.”

7 Steps to an effective bystander intervention:

1. Recognize the behavior is happening
2. Interpret behavior as a problem
3. Feel a sense of responsibility
4. Know what to do (or not do)
5. Feel you have the ability to take action
6. Perform a quick cost/benefit analysis
7. Act (direct, distract, delegate, discuss)

The key to keeping your friends and others safe is to learn how to intervene in a way that fits the situation and your comfort level. Having this knowledge on hand can give you the confidence to step in when something isn’t right. Stepping in can make all the difference, but it should never put your own safety at risk.

Cornell students intervene

Cornell created a short film called Intervene that includes several brief scenarios demonstrating ways in which student bystanders successfully intervene in problematic situations. Seven different situations are addressed in the film, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence (emotional abuse), hazing, an alcohol emergency, emotional distress, and bias. 

• Intervene is based on real-life situations faced by students at Cornell and beyond
• The interventions shown are grounded in social behavior theories and public health research
• Content was developed and evaluated by the Skorton Center for Health Initiatives at Cornell Health

The film Intervene recognizes all members of a campus community as collaborative partners in the cultivation of campus health and well-being. It also demonstrates the versatility of bystander intervention as a strategy that can be used to address a variety of campus issues. 

Watch the film

This film, Intervene, is 19.47 minutes long. The hazing-specific scene begins at 3:17

[Video transcript]

Intervene was developed by the Skorton Center for Health Initiatives and the Cornell Interactive Theater Ensemble. 

Learn more about Intervene and the corresponding workshop.

See also ...

How to Help a Friend (pdf)

Alcohol and Hazing (pdf)