Green Dot Bystander Intervention

What is Green Dot UCF?

Green Dot is a bystander intervention initiative that recognizes that most people care about the high prevalence of power-based personal violence but don’t have the tools to know how to be part of the solution. Green Dot seeks to change the culture by activating people that may not have been directly impacted by power-based personal violence. We recognize that power-based personal violence prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

Green uses the concept of displacing Red Dots (potential/real acts of violence) with Green Dots (actions taken to eliminate/ prevent Red Dots). Actions could be reactive or proactive. Reactive Green Dots are in the moment and immediately responding to a Red Dot. A proactive Green Dot are actions we take to let others know we do not tolerate violence in our UCF community.

How to Be an Active Bystander

Bystanders play a critical role in the prevention of sexual and relationship violence. Active bystanders are students, faculty and staff who intervene, either directly or indirectly, when they see something happening that may cause harm to a member of our community. They may not be involved in the harm, but as a witness to the incident they have the choice to do something about it. We want to promote a culture of community accountability where bystanders are actively engaged in the prevention of violence without causing further harm.  We may not always know what to do even if we want to help.  Below is a list of some ways to be an active bystander. Further information regarding bystander intervention may be found on the UCF website www.letsbeclear.ucf.edu. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, dial 911.This could be when a person is yelling at or being physically abusive towards another and it is not safe for you to interrupt.

The 3 D’s

1. Direct: Take the direct approach. If you see someone who looks like they could be in trouble or need help, ask if they are ok.  Confront people who seclude, hit on, and try to make out with, or have sex with people who are incapacitated. Speak up when someone discusses plans to take sexual advantage of another person. Believe someone who discloses sexual assault, abusive behavior, or experience with stalking.
2. Delegate: Sometimes the direct approach can be intimidating. Call someone else for assistance, such as a friend or law enforcement. Refer people to on- or off-campus resources listed in this guide for support in health, counseling, or with financial or legal assistance. Get others involved to help diffuse a situation.
3. Distract: Interrupt situations where you see problematic behavior. Make an excuse by asking an unrelated question, like “do you know what time it is?” or stating, “hey, I need to borrow this person for a minute.” By distracting someone from doing something they may later regret, you help everyone involved.