Campus Life

Faculty, staff can sharpen bystander intervention skills in upcoming workshops

Sophomores Erica Cruz, left, and Bailey Klocko posed for a photograph and shared their thoughts on bystander intervention at the launch of Stand for State on Jan. 27 in the HUB-Robeson Center, University Park. Credit: Bill Zimmerman / Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Two upcoming sessions from Stand for State will give faculty and staff a special opportunity to experience the bystander intervention workshops available to students. 

Penn State’s bystander intervention program, Stand for State, offers tools built around the 3 D’s — direct, distract and delegate — for stepping in when others are threatened. Launched University-wide in January, about 150 students have taken the workshop, learning safe and effective bystander intervention tactics created by Green Dot. 

The workshops will better inform employees about the skills students are learning and the Stand for State program overall, as well as present how action can be taken in multiple scenarios to remove family, friends and strangers from harm’s way. Additionally, participants will learn proactive ways to demonstrate that they are not OK with violence. 

Penn Staters are coming together to Stand for State and end sexual violence. April was Sexual Assault Awareness month, but these efforts take place year-round. To find out more about what you can do to stop sexual assault, visit standforstate.psu.edu. Credit: C Roy Parker. 

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in the three-hour version of the student workshop, which will be held from:

  • 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, in 233A HUB-Robeson Center, or
  • 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, July 11, in 233A HUB-Robeson Center.

To register, go to www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0B4AADAF2CA4F85-university3.

Attendees will:

  • Learn warning signs of sexual and relationship violence;
  • Learn how to safely and effectively practice to interrupt and defuse potentially risky situations;
  • Consider values in regards to personal responsibility to intervene;
  • Learn how everyday choices can contribute to creating a campus where safety for all is a priority and everyone plays a role in watching out for each other.

Stand for State is planning additional workshops for students in September and October. To nominate a student to participate in a workshop, go to http://standforstate.psu.edu/nominate-a-student-for-a-workshop/. 

From Sept. 12 to 18, Stand for State will host its Action Week, a chance to rally people across the University to create safer campuses and communities.

Last Updated June 21, 2016

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