In the Fall of 2023, nineteen UA Little Rock employees went through the Step Up! Bystander Intervention Training and became trainers. The goal is for these trainers to educate individuals on recognizing and responding to situations where they encounter someone who may be in jeopardy. The training gives participants the essential knowledge and skills to intervene effectively and safely. Training has been provided throughout 2024 and 2025, with more planned later in 2025.

Comments from previous participants include:

Interactive activities give us a chance to practice and think it through with other perspectives.

Overall great training. It was informative, interactive, and encouraging.

Bystander Intervention involves developing the awareness, skills, and courage necessary to intervene when another person needs help. Such interventions enable individuals to communicate vital messages regarding acceptable and expected conduct within our campus community.

Watch this powerful video for a brief explanation of the bystander effect.

 

There are many ways to intervene, as demonstrated by this video (no spoken text, so no captions are available):

This Clint Smith TED Talk also covers the importance of using our voices.

Helpful Websites

For more information, please contact Sharon Ann Downs, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Wellness and Belonging in the Division of Student Affairs.