Community Action: Preventing Sexual Violence

By Veronica Marwitz, Education & Research Manager, Rape Prevention Education

When communities work together, sexual violence can be prevented. In New Zealand, it is estimated that as many as 1 in 4 females and 1 in 8 males are likely to experience sexual violence in their lifetimes. This comes at a huge expense to our country as the cost of sexual violence is about $72,000 per incident (total $1.2 billion in 2003-04[1]).

Community Responsibility

Communities, including parents, teachers, bus drivers, coaches, business owners, social networks and others can learn to identify signs of sexual violence and sexually violent behaviours and how to respond to them.  You can create a sense amongst your community that sexual violence is unacceptable and that it is okay for a victim/survivor or potential offender to seek help.  

How Bystanders can help

A bystander can be any person in the community who witnesses behaviour that is harmful to another. It is important that we all know how to intervene safely when we witness harmful or abusive behaviour. If there are clear messages in your community that sexual violence is unacceptable, and people endorse that prevention is everyone’s responsibility then there is more likely to be active, safe bystander intervention.

Case Study About Lack of Help

16 year old Melanie was at a party. Most people, including Melanie, were drunk. As the evening wore on she got more drunk, louder and uninhibited.  She was having a great time and was entertaining to be around. Around 1 am Melanie passed out on the couch. A group of five guys began removing items of her clothing and touching her breasts and genitals. Bystanders’ reactions were mixed. Some people thought Melanie had brought the assault on herself with her drinking and skimpy dress. However, most bystanders were disturbed and didn’t think it was okay. Rather than intervene, they left. The experience has taken a toll on Melanie’s life; she was sexually violated. It also had an impact on the bystanders; some felt disturbed and guilty for not intervening.

What Bystanders Can Do

Incidents of sexually inappropriate, harassing, abusive or violent behaviour where bystanders fail to intervene occur often due to bystanders believing that others will intervene or that it is not their business to get involved. However, there may be numerous opportunities where bystanders can help.  

If there is an opportunity to intervene, you can decide:

• if something is wrong. Is the person being treated with respect and care?

• if your help is needed. Don’t take cues (such as to do nothing) from people around you. If you’d appreciate someone intervening (if this was your child, parent, friend or family member) then do your best to take some action.

• if it is your responsibility to intervene. We all have a responsibility to work to create a safer world. 

• if you can calmly, safely intervene, go ahead. Do not step into a situation where you could put yourself in danger. Call the police or report behaviour to an authority. 

• to talk to someone. Visit www.rapecrisis.org.nz for a list of support agencies in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

[1] Roper, T. & Thompson, A. (2006). Estimating the costs of crime in New Zealand in 2003/04 New Zealand Treasury Working Paper. http://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/research-policy/wp/2006/06-04/t.... Accessed 15th March 2009.