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Being an active bystander
There are a number of terms we use that you need to be familiar with.
For more definitions of EDI-related terms, please see our glossary − The ABC of EDI
Active bystander
Someone who is aware of inappropriate or threatening behaviour and chooses to challenge, intervene, or offer help.
Bias
An inclination or preference for or against an individual or group that interferes with impartial judgement.
Bullying
The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online.
Bystander
A person who witnesses an event. They are not involved in the event; they are not a victim or perpetrator. We have all been bystanders at some point in our lives!
Bystander effect
Choosing not to act in an emergency because of the presence of other people. People are less likely to offer aid in an emergency situation if they are surrounded by a group of people.
Bystander intervention
The step that a bystander takes to stop or intervene before, after, or during an inappropriate event.
Harassment
Unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for that individual.
Micro-aggressions
Brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to certain individuals because of their group membership. Micro-aggressions are often unconscious and may be unintentional.
Passive bystander
Someone who witnesses an event happening but does nothing to help.
Plural ignorance
When people underestimate the internal beliefs of others around them. They tend to believe that they are in the minority and that no one else around them finds a specific behaviour inappropriate when they are actually in the majority.
Workplace culture
The regular attitudes and behaviours that feed into the atmosphere and performance of a workplace. A healthy workplace culture occurs when the organisation’s policies and ethos align with employees’ beliefs and behaviours, maintaining good performance and employee wellbeing.
