Bystander Workshops

The PSD is committed to continuously promoting transparency of relevant resources to support students in preventing sexual harassment. Sexual misconduct, discrimination and harassment are not tolerated within our community. Formal processes to address such transgressions are initiated and managed through the University of Chicago’s Title IX office. For more information about the process when a complaint is submitted, review the University Response to Student Disclosure of Sexual Misconduct.

In an effort to equip our community members with tools to safely intervene in instances where sexual harm or harassment is occurring, the Equal Opportunity Programs office (EOP), in coordination with the Physical Sciences Division, is now offering The Bringing in the Bystander® Workshop to PSD students.

Bystanders observe actions or situations in which someone’s safety or well-being is at risk. Learning the skills to be a prosocial bystander empowers us and sends a vital message to the community that we are willing to work collectively towards safety. This means being aware of what's happening around us and learning the skills to intervene safely in situations when someone is at risk of harm.

The Bringing in The Bystander® Workshop is an interactive bystander intervention workshop. Rather than focusing strictly on the roles of the harm-doer(s) and victim, The Bringing in The Bystander® curriculum uses a community responsibility approach. It teaches bystanders how to safely intervene in instances where sexual harm, relationship violence, stalking or harassment may be occurring or where there may be risk that it will occur. In addition, the skills taught by The Bringing in The Bystander® Workshop are transferrable to other situations requiring intervention that may occur in a university context, such as substance abuse, mental health and eating disorders.

View other relevant resources that our community members can access to resolve matters related to the University’s policy on harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct.

Check back for a schedule of Bystander Workshops for 2021-2022