How to Safely Step In

15 min conversation · For Athlete / Student

Bystander intervention is not about confrontation — it's about disruption. This guide teaches the 5 Ds, a framework anyone can use to safely intervene without putting themselves at risk.

Steps

Direct: speak up in the moment ('Hey, that's not okay').
Distract: create a diversion (spill a drink, ask a question).
Delegate: get someone with more authority (coach, RA, security).
Document: if safe, record what happened for later reporting.
Delay: check on the person after — 'Are you okay? What do you need?'

Resources

Step Up! Program