HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE BYSTANDER

EMILY MAY co-founded Hollaback! after being harassed. The initiative, which aims to transform the culture that perpetuates harassment, recommends Five Ds for bystander action. Remember them the next time you see a runner being harassed.

DELEGATE

Recruit someone else to intervene. Look for an authority figure – a police officer or even a security guard – or call the police. If you can, check in with the person being harassed first, says May.

DISTRACT

Interrupt the incident to help derail it. Ask the runner being harassed for directions or the time, or pretend you know her and start talking. ‘It will eventually drown out the person doing the harassing,’ says May.

DIRECT

Say something loud, clear and firm to confront the harasser. (eg ‘Hey! That’s not OK.’ ) Then check on the target to see if they’re all right and ignore the harasser to avoid getting into a back-and-forth.

DOCUMENT

If someone is helping the runner, video the incident with your phone. Be discreet – if you’re in the harasser’s face, things could escalate. If the harasser is in a car, try to get a clear shot of the number plate.

DELAY

Harassment on the run often happens quickly – a passing insult, a sudden grope. If you can’t act in the moment, check with the victim after the fact. Just asking them if they are OK can have a huge impact.