Active Bystander training

As part of our commitment to ending violence against women and girls we are please to offer another Active Bystander training session open to all staff working across Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Time: October 8^th 9:15am-12pm

Where: Cardiff County Hall, Room 3^rd floor Room 332

What does being a Bystander mean and why do we need to train people about it? 

When we see or hear sexual harassment, and do nothing, we empower the harasser. The same goes for sexism, misogyny, ‘banter’ and unwanted comments that degrade women and girls. When we let these things pass, we create a culture in which others feel able to take it further. 

Active Bystander training gives people the skills and confidence to have conversations with friends and colleagues on these issues.  

It also gives bystanders a range of tools to safely respond to potentially harmful situations such as sexual harassment in public places. That could be diffusing it, offering help to the victim or calling on others to help you out. It doesn’t have to be confrontational - a few calm words can make the difference. When we intervene skilfully, we encourage others to do so too, sparking positive culture change. 

Anyone can be an ‘active bystander’ – anyone can intervene positively in potentially harmful situations when given the right tools. The most common thing people tell us is that they want to do the right thing, but lack the confidence and skills to do so. This is what our training addresses: we teach people to be active bystanders and leaders. We help you and your team identify harmful situations and how to intervene safely. 

This can have a knock-on effect. If one person is feeling uncomfortable with someone’s behaviour, it’s likely others are too. By having the confidence and skillset to intervene, we act as leaders and encourage others to speak out too. Research has even shown that when one person intervenes it changes the ‘group norm’ – it shows other bystanders that it’s okay to speak-up. This sends a clear message to the wrongdoer that their actions are not OK. 

What is the training and how will it be delivered?  

The training is all about empowering people to speak up and to challenge individual’s attitudes and behaviours, that may be supportive of violence within their peer group, workplace, community or in public spaces. Bystander training aims to:   

• Empower people to challenge attitudes and behaviours that are supportive of violence within their workplace, peer group or community; that could be diffusing it, offering help to the victim, calling on others to help you out, or having conversations with your friends and colleagues on these issues 
• Change behaviour and decrease the likelihood of violence occurring 
• Educate people on supporting and signposting victims/ survivors of violence to increase access to support  
• Increase knowledge of violence against women and its warning signs   
• Change attitudes so individuals can recognise a situation as problematic and understand why it is important to act   
• Build skills so individuals possess the right knowledge and skills to respond safely 

If you would like to attend please email nicola.jones2@cardiff.gov.uk