Everyone can play a role in maintaining a safe and respectful community for staff and students at Murdoch.
If you recognise concerning behaviours, including a potentially harmful situation, we encourage you to intervene if it is safe to do so. This is known as bystander intervention, and a person who actively stands up to call out inappropriate or concerning behaviours we call an upstander.
If you are looking for advice and information about how to be an upstander, this page will give you some intervention strategies that may alter the outcome of a tough situation for the better. There is always something you can do, from safely addressing the perpetrator or potential perpetrator, tackling a tricky situation, or supporting someone who has been targeted by inappropriate or concerning behaviours. Bystander intervention can help reduce or prevent concerning behaviours such as gender-based violence and unwanted comments of a racist, homophobic, sexist or transphobic nature.
Ways to intervene
Members of the University Community are encouraged to intervene safely when they encounter instances of concerning behaviour. As active bystanders, or upstanders, there are a few intervention strategies you can use.
Supporting someone after an incident
If you have witnessed or been told about concerning behaviours, or are worried about someone who may have been targeted, here are some tips on how you can help support them, and you:
Contact us
For personalised support and advice, contact myMurdoch Advice.