Bystander Trainers

Bystander Trainers

Research done at Boston College has shown that students who attend a Bystander Intervention presentation are more likely to intervene in questionable situations that could lead to sexual violence. We have also found the message of Bystander Intervention is best received when it is presented by a peer, which is why we have trainers! Bystander Intervention trainers are a group of BC students who teach their peers about sexual violence, red flags that often occur prior to such violence, and intervention techniques to keep fellow students safe from sexual violence. All Boston College students receive two presentations during their first year at BC. The first presentation is 30 minutes long, and it is at the beginning of the semester during Welcome Week. The second presentation, which occurs later in the semester, is a more in-depth discussion and reinforcement of the topics discussed in the first presentation. Bystander Intervention trainers themselves attend weekly educational meetings to learn how to better support survivors and dismantle oppression at BC.