Bystander Intervention: Putting a Stop to Sexual Assault

Gr 7 Up—Hosted by teens for teens, this well-acted and effectively produced video offers kids realistic tips for safely stepping in to prevent an assault. The video begins by defining the term bystander and briefly describing the concept of "bystander effect," a phenomenon identified during the investigation of Kitty Genovese's murder in 1964. Following the introductory information, a number of reenactments portray the stages of bystander intervention and three potential methods of intervening. Viewers also learn how to actively intervene by helping a victim through recovery after an assault has happened. A clinical psychologist and licensed social worker offer their insights, and two teen bystanders who became involved in tense situations share their stories. The extensive teachers' guide consists of resource materials, such as pretests and posttests, student worksheets, classroom activities, and content connections to National Health Education Standards.