National Hazing Prevention Week 2024: Day 4 – Bystander vs. Upstander Behavior
On Day 4 of National Hazing Prevention Week 2024, we share some thoughts about bystander behavior and how to turn bystanders into upstanders.
Bystander behavior is what people demonstrate when they observe hazing or other dangerous activities without intervening.
An upstander is a person who speaks or acts in support of an individual or cause, particularly someone who intervenes on behalf of a person being attacked, bullied, or hazed.
Transforming bystanders into upstanders is important to eliminating hazing.
The five-step model for encouraging bystanders to intervene is:
- Notice the Event – Who is in a position to see hazing take place or the effects of it?
- Recognize the behavior as a problem – Many people witness hazing, but think it is harmless fun or silly pranks.
- Feel responsibility to solve the problem – If you see it and think it's wrong, do you feel it's your place to act? Why not?
- Know what to do – You may want to act, but don't know where to turn for help or what to do.
- Possess the capacity for action – Even if you know what to do, do you have the courage to do it.
Theta Chi expects all members to live out our Sacred Purpose and if they see something that doesn't quite seem right (whether during The Resolute Journey and pledge education or some other chapter activity) to be a leader and speak up or tell someone about it. Don't be part of the problem by becoming a bystander—be part of the solution through leadership and the Assisting Hand. Team up with others in your chapter who will help make positive changes.
If you are being hazed or are aware of others being hazed, call Theta Chi’s anti-hazing hotline at +1 855-824-4840. Alternatively, you can make an anonymous report to the Interfraternal Anti-Hazing Hotline at +1 888-NOT-HAZE.
