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What role can a bystander play in responding to someone who uses violence?

This video explains what a bystander can do when responding to someone who uses violence. It is part of a collection of videos created to support workplace responses to domestic and family violence.

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What role can a bystander play in responding to someone who uses violence?

[Michael Salter: Associate Professor of Criminology, School of Social Sciences, University of NSW] Workplace culture is very important to many men. They take their cues from other Men. So, in the workplace we have a lot of opportunities to intervene in sexist misogynist behaviour.

[Moo Baulch: Former Chief Executive Officer, Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW)] It doesn't have to be sophisticated messaging. It's saying “look you know we're out at this thing on Friday night and I was a bit worried by some of the stuff that you were saying about your wife or your family” or “that attitude that you were displaying in the meeting the other day, it actually wasn't really appropriate and it made me feel a bit uncomfortable do we need to get you some help”. That sort of approach of engaging somebody and saying “look, I'm concerned about you, there are places that we can get help for you. Let's do this together”.

[Michael Salter: Associate Professor of Criminology, School of Social Sciences, University of NSW] This is the broad social contribution that men can make directly to improve the safety and well-being of domestic violence victims is to not collaborate with men who engage in unhealthy dangerous and violent behaviour and to make it clear to other men that this is not on, this is not okay.

The way workplaces respond to employees who use violence can help send a message that violence is not acceptable. These resources provide more information on how to respond appropriately to employees who may be using violence.

Workplace Equality and Respect: Responding to staff who use family violence

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Women and Money: When clients perpetrate financial abuse

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FACS: Rejecting violence and promoting respect

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Understanding domestic and family violence

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Workplace responses to domestic and family violence

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Understanding and responding to employees who use violence

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Understanding financial abuse

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Our Watch does not provide emergency assistance or support services to people who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic and family violence and/or sexual assault. If you, a child, or another person is in immediate danger, call 000. For sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service call 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 for 24/7 phone and online services.

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