Understanding barriers
To develop an active bystander culture in your organisation, it is important not only to educate individuals on why being an active bystander matters, but also to understand some of the barriers to becoming an active bystander.
Being an active bystander doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Once we recognise the barriers to intervening, however, everyone can feel empowered to act − despite the barriers.
We’ve put together some information that may help your employees recognise when they are facing barriers to becoming an active bystander. You could also use a survey to help understand the barriers employees face [see our Example Pulse Survey - being an active bystander].
The Bystander Effect
The bystander effect refers to when people choose not to act when they see inappropriate behaviour or an emergency situation because of the presence of other people. People are less likely to offer aid if they are surrounded by a group of people as they think someone else will take responsibility for the situation – this is known as the diffusion of responsibility. Once we’re aware of the bystander effect, we can start to recognise that everyone has a duty to intervene when necessary.
To see how the bystander effect can play out in a specific scenario, watch this YouTube video
The bystander effect refers to when people choose not to act when they see inappropriate behaviour or an emergency situation because of the presence of other people. People are less likely to offer aid if they are surrounded by a group of people as they think someone else will take responsibility for the situation – this is known as the diffusion of responsibility. Once we’re aware of the bystander effect, we can start to recognise that everyone has a duty to intervene when necessary.
Why people might not intervene
In addition to the diffusion of responsibility, there are several other reasons why people might not intervene. Some of these include:
Social influence / identity
People are less likely to intervene when they don’t feel a connection to the victim. We are more likely to try and help someone who is similar to ourselves.
Social influence / identity
People are less likely to intervene when they don’t feel a connection to the victim. We are more likely to try and help someone who is similar to ourselves.
Social influence / identity
People are less likely to intervene when they don’t feel a connection to the victim. We are more likely to try and help someone who is similar to ourselves.
Fear of retaliation
People often feel worried about intervening because it could lead to a confrontational exchange with the perpetrator. Sometimes, interventions are received negatively and people worry that they could be labelled as a troublemakers.
Fear of retaliation
People often feel worried about intervening because it could lead to a confrontational exchange with the perpetrator. Sometimes, interventions are received negatively and people worry that they could be labelled as a troublemakers.
Fear of retaliation
People often feel worried about intervening because it could lead to a confrontational exchange with the perpetrator. Sometimes, interventions are received negatively and people worry that they could be labelled as a troublemakers.
Audience inhibition
Being worried about feeling embarrassed can prevent people from intervening when necessary.
Audience inhibition
Being worried about feeling embarrassed can prevent people from intervening when necessary.
Audience inhibition
Being worried about feeling embarrassed can prevent people from intervening when necessary.
Plural ignorance
Plural ignorance is 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. If we believe that others around us don’t feel the same way, we’re less likely to act. This lack of action can lead to a ‘false consensus’ where the perpetrator believes that everyone else thinks the same way that they do.
Plural ignorance
Plural ignorance is 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. If we believe that others around us don’t feel the same way, we’re less likely to act. This lack of action can lead to a ‘false consensus’ where the perpetrator believes that everyone else thinks the same way that they do.
Plural ignorance
Plural ignorance is 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. If we believe that others around us don’t feel the same way, we’re less likely to act. This lack of action can lead to a ‘false consensus’ where the perpetrator believes that everyone else thinks the same way that they do.
The toolkit:
Active bystander culture
Our toolkit will help you start your journey towards developing an active bystander culture.
The toolkit:
Active bystander culture
Our toolkit will help you start your journey towards developing an active bystander culture.
The toolkit:
Active bystander culture
Our toolkit will help you start your journey towards developing an active bystander culture.
Explore more toolkits
Explore more toolkits
Explore more toolkits
© 2025 Halsden Centre Limited. A company registered in England & Wales No 15730726
© 2025 Halsden Centre Limited. A company registered in England & Wales No 15730726
© 2025 Halsden Centre Limited. A company registered in England & Wales No 15730726