Sometimes we do not realize that the language we use is harmful. Other times we are too afraid to call someone out when they make a joke that is harmful, because we do not want to be the outcast. The bystander effect is a societal phenomenon where people are reluctant to help another person when there are other people around. One reason for this behavior is the perceived diffusion of responsibility, in which a person does not feel the need to intervene because there are others there that can, or will. The other reason a person may not intervene is that the actions, or inactions, of others influence how an individual will respond. Click here to learn more about being an active bystander to prevent sexual violence.

So, if you are safe and able, speak up when you hear a sexist joke, and explain that the joke normalizes inequality and sexual violence. Chances are others in the group feel the same way. If not you, who will?

Actions and words that are discriminatory in nature create a culture of inequality that exacerbates violence. Specifically, actions and words that dehumanize women as objects promote entitlement, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence such as physical abuse and stalking.
Forms of violence and oppression that target marginalized communities — such as genocide, racism, transphobia, or ableism — make sexual and domestic violence more likely to happen to people within these communities. This is because:

• Oppression created conditions where people who are power-up are at increased risk of doing violence
• People who are power-down have increased vulnerability and increased exposure to those who could harm them, due to (often poverty-related) survival needs
• Because oppressive structures promote sexual and domestic violence and discourage cultural norms of healthy, collaborative, mutually-respectful relating and relationships.

For more information on the role that anti-oppression plays in ending gender-based violence, please download the document from the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence titled “Prevention Through Liberation: Theory and Practice of Anti-Oppression as Primary Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence here.

Each community has its own culture defined by a set of values, belief systems and behaviors. Consider examining the culture of your community to establish which values, beliefs and behaviors create space and tolerance for someone to commit sexual violence, and which ones prevent it. We can determine that our community will not tolerate sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of gender-based violence. We can choose to celebrate respect, equality, civility, healthy relationships and healthy sexuality, and make gender-based violence prevention the norm in our community. To find out more about coming together as a community to prevent gender-based violence click here. And to read more about risk and protective factors of sexual violence here.