Bystander Intervention in Gender-Based and Intimate Partner Violence

Session Submission Type: Pre-arranged Panel

Abstract

Gender-based and intimate partner violence is a significant global problem with social, economic, physical, psychological and health consequences. While prevention efforts to date have largely focused on either perpetrators or victims, increasing attention has been paid to bystander action or intervention, that is, actions that are taken by those not directly involved in the critical event to disrupt or prevent the event from occurring. Research suggests that promoting bystanders to take action when they witness gender-based and intimate partner violence may be an effective prevention tool, both in terms of interrupting the violence, and in reducing the impacts of harmful behaviours and attitudes that condone gender-based violence. There are a range of factors that may influence whether people will intervene to disrupt violence, including the existence of barriers, facilitators and ‘capable guardians’. This panel (one of two focused on bystander intervention and sexual and gender-based violence) brings together scholars from Australia and Europe to examine innovative approaches to gender-based and intimate partner violence, including through the use of digital technologies, and shining light on why bystanders may decide to report gender-based and intimate partner violence. The panel includes discussion of police reports, qualitative and quantitative research, as well as theoretical and conceptual frameworks to demonstrate the potentials of bystander intervention in incidents of gender-based and intimate partner violence.

Subtopic

• Topic 4: Victimology / Policy and Prevention of Victimization (Victimology WG)

Chair

• Asher Flynn, Monash University

Individual Presentations

• Empowering communities to lead primary prevention: A whole of community response to Domestic and Family Violence - Ana Borges, Griffith University; Amy Young, Griffith University; Elena Marchetti, Griffith University; Celeste Harris, Griffith University; Rebecca Wickes, Griffith University; Sameer Deshpande, Griffith University; Patrick O'Leary, Griffith University

• Why Do Bystanders Report Intimate Partner Violence? Insights into Real-Life Reasoning from Those Who Actually Intervened - Carlijn van Baak, Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), University of Amsterdam; Veroni Eichelsheim, Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement; Don Weenink, University of Amsterdam; Marie Rosenkrantz Lindegaard, NSCR and University of Amsterdam

• Innovative approaches to intimate partner violence interventions and engaging bystanders - Freya McLachlan, Griffith University; Patrick O'Leary, Griffith University

• Integrating app technology in bystander responses to Domestic and Family Violence - Amy Young, Griffith University; Ana Borges, Griffith University; Patrick O'Leary, Griffith University; Shaan Ross-Smith, Griffith University