Introduction to Active Bystander Intervention

*This training includes a 1 hr. break since it is online.

An active bystander training teaches effective skills for assessing, de-escalating, and diffusing a problematic situation, such as intimidation, harassment, abuse, physical violence, etc. Active bystander training focuses on a bystander observing a problematic situation and determining if and how to intervene. This is distinct from self-assertion training that teaches how to de-escalate and diffuse unwanted attention when you are being harassed or attacked. An active bystander is someone who not only witnesses a situation, but takes steps to speak up or step in to keep a situation from escalating or to disrupt a problematic situation.

This is an interactive, participatory, beginner’s workshop designed for those that may have none to little prior studies of bystander intervention. 

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Facilitators:

Eli S. McCarthy, Ph.D. (he/his) is a co-founder of the DC Peace Team and has led numerous trainings. He also teaches at Georgetown University in Justice and Peace Studies.  Eli has published a book called “A Just Peace Ethic Primer: Building Sustainable Peace and Breaking Cycles of Violence" (2020) along with numerous journal articles such as "Truth and Reconciliation Commissions: Toward a More Just U.S. Society," and "Will You Really Protect Us Without a Gun?: Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping in the U.S." He has been formed by multiple trips to Haiti working with the poor, working with the homeless in Boston and DC, and monitoring the Palestinian Elections in 2006 with the Nonviolent Peaceforce. He has also led strategic nonviolent resistance campaigns, such as on issues of immigration.

Sal Corbin offers training in Active Bystander Intervention, Restorative Justice, Unarmed Civilian Protection and conflict mediation. He worked for 15 years in academia as a Psychology Professor before transitioning to nonprofit work. He has done Workforce Development training and program management and is a Training Coordinator for the Maryland Harm Reduction Institute. His vision is to help others build and maintain healthy relationships, with conflict transformation as the primary focus. His extensive background in leadership facilitation supports his efforts to keep showing up and sharing.