ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7532-5722

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Administrative and Instructional Leadership

First Advisor

Katherine C Aquino

Second Advisor

Joan I Birringer-Haig

Third Advisor

Catherine C DiMartino

Abstract

Bystander intervention has received increased attention as a potential sexual violence prevention strategy, primarily to address campus sexual assault (McMahon et al., 2017). Shifting the focus from potential victims and perpetrators, the bystander approach engages all members of a campus community to act by increasing positive attitudes and behaviors related to sexual violence and greater willingness to intervene in pro-social ways. This study examined associations between college students’ bystander intervention behavior and three key factors: (a) perceived self-efficacy, (b) a sense of responsibility to act, and (c) the relationship between the student bystander and the victim or perpetrator. The researcher provided insights into the complexities surrounding perceived motivators and barriers to this critical issue through a comprehensive examination by employing a case study approach with a population of students who have participated in bystander intervention leadership training. Through interviews, focus groups, and a review of bystander intervention leadership training materials, this study explored the contextual aspects influencing students’ decision-making processes when witnessing potential sexual assault. The study was conducted at a private institution with 15 students and three training facilitator participants through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The student participants were seven male and eight female undergraduate students with varying class years, majors, and resident status. Purposive and convenience sampling was used to select all participants. Findings revealed that self-efficacy, sense of responsibility, and relationships with the parties involved are the primary motivators and barriers to student bystanders intervening when witnessing a potential sexual assault. Future research could build upon this study by focusing on the failure of student bystanders to notice potential sexual assault. This failure is often rooted in a complex interplay of factors, including student apathy and the victim’s race. These factors can impact bystander intervention and are worth future focus.

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