of activism against Gender-Based Violence
Bystanderism in GBV occurs due to a variety of factors, including the fear of personal risk, a lack of awareness or understanding of how to respond, social pressures, or the assumption that someone else will step in. It can contribute to the perpetuation of GBV, as inaction allows abusive behaviour to continue unchecked.
Bystanderism refers to the phenomenon where individuals who witness
The Impact of Bystanderism
To counter these consequences, there is a crucial need to champion a culture of active intervention, empathy, and support, encouraging individuals to speak up and take positive action for the creation of safer and more compassionate communities. individuals who regret inaction may grapple with lasting feelings of guilt, regret, and moral distress. The impact of bystanderism is multifaceted and profound. Bystanderism perpetuates violence or harassment and cultivates a culture where such conduct is tolerated. Victims bear the brunt of this inaction, experiencing heightened trauma, isolation, and a loss of trust in others. Bystanderism further contributes to the normalisation of harmful behaviour, making it more challenging to address these issues in the future. The erosion of community engagement and trust follows, as individuals may disengage if they believe others won't step in during times of need. In cases of gender-based violence, bystanderism reinforces unequal power dynamics, allowing them to persist and potentially worsen over time. The long-term social impact includes a culture of apathy, diminished empathy, and weakened social responsibility and cohesion within a community that tolerates Bystanderism. Additionally,
acts of violence or harassment, or are
aware of such incidents, choose not to intervene or take action to help the victim or survivor. Bystanderism in GBV can manifest in various forms, such as failing to report an abusive situation, not offering support to a survivor, or remaining silent when witnessing harassment or violence
November 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
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