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Shifting Upstream

Bystander Action Against Sexism and Discrimination Against Women

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Preventing Sexual Violence

Abstract

‘Bringing in the bystander’ has recently emerged as a promising approach to stop sexual violence against women. In particular, the role of men in challenging the violent and abusive behaviours of their peers and consequently challenging cultures of ‘male peer support’ for rape (see DeKeseredy & Kelly 1995; Schwartz & DeKeseredy, 1997) has been increasingly recognised internationally as a key area in the development of sexual violence prevention. This movement has to date largely been focused on US-based research with university student samples, such as that by Banyard and colleagues (2005) and others, including Katz (1994; Katz et al., 2011). It has mostly focused on educating individuals in providing support to a victim, challenging the behaviour of a perpetrator or calling the police. In other words, ‘bringing in the bystander’ is about encouraging individuals to not be passive witnesses and, by their silence, effectively condone and contribute to a culture of sexual violence against women.

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Authors
  1. Anastasia Powell
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Politics, Philosophy and Legal Studies, La Trobe University, Australia

    Nicola Henry (Senior Lecturer) (Senior Lecturer)

  2. RMIT University Melbourne, Australia

    Anastasia Powell (Lecturer in Justice & Legal Studies) (Lecturer in Justice & Legal Studies)

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© 2014 Anastasia Powell

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Powell, A. (2014). Shifting Upstream. In: Henry, N., Powell, A. (eds) Preventing Sexual Violence. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137356192_10

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