VicHealth releases new report on bystander intervention

VicHealth has recently released a new report as part of its Bystander Research Project. This project was initiated to better understand the organisational and community cultures that support pro-social bystander action (that is, action intended to reduce harm to others). It aimed to assess community and organisational readiness and support for bystander programs in support of the primary prevention of violence against women in Victoria.

From the Executive Summary of More than ready: Bystander action to prevent violence against women in the Victorian community:

"Overall these findings point to the importance of creating community and organisational cultures and conditions that support and encourage bystander behaviour, especially in response to the more subtle and more accepted forms of violence or the behaviours that contribute to violence-supportive attitudes and culture, such as sexist jokes. ... Overall, the research suggests there is a current and immediate opportunity to strengthen formal and informal support in key settings to enable more individuals and groups – especially among young people and men – to consistently and confidently respond to the social conditions that support violence against women."

Click here to go to VicHealth Bystander Research Project

A short (1:33) YouTube clip (top right corner of the page) presents the message in a creative audio-visual format.