Search results

Models which account for the circumstances under which different bystander responses occur have been evolving since the 1970s, especially in the fields of criminology and social psychology. The notion of bystanders originated with the study of an event in New York where a young woman, Kitty Genovese, was raped and stabbed to death over a period of half an hour. During the attack, 38 witnesses…

Bystanders have received growing attention as a potential means of violence prevention. Amongst efforts oriented towards the primary prevention of domestic and family violence, sexual violence and other forms of interpersonal violence, mobilising bystanders to prevent and respond to violence or to the situations and factors which increase the risk of violence taking place (‘bystander…

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a persistent and pervasive problem in Australia and elsewhere, demanding new and creative responses.[1] One significant area that may inform prevention and response strategies is the area of ‘bystander approaches’. In examining the potential for bystander approaches to prevent and respond to workplace sexual harassment, this paper draws upon a…

Specifically, the paper has integrated studies on sexual harassment with a range of theoretical and empirical research on bystander approaches as they apply in the context of workplace bullying, racial harassment, whistle blowing, violence in intimate relationships, workplace justice frameworks and employee voice.

Paula McDonald is an Associate Professor in the School of Management at the Queensland University of Technology. Her research addresses a number of areas relevant to social justice issues at work, including sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based discrimination, the early work experiences of young people and work-life boundaries. Paula has published several studies in the area of…

Learn about bystander approaches to stop sexual harassment in the workplace. Bystanders can help by raising awareness and can intervene to prevent harm.

Workplace sexual harassment is a persistent and pervasive problem in Australia and elsewhere, demanding new and creative responses. One promising area which may inform prevention and response strategies is bystander approaches.