Publication Date
2-12-2024
Abstract
Although numerous studies have explored the factors that impact bystander intervention in sexual assault situations, findings have been inconsistent and all prior studies have depicted sexual violence as an exclusively female and heterosexual issue. This study explores the many individual-level and assault-level characteristics that can impact bystander intervention while also accounting for non-heteronormativity in sexual assault situations. Based on a content analysis of interview data with college students, the findings suggest that assault ambiguity, severity, and timing, as well as the gender and friendship statuses of the individuals involved, impact who bystanders intervene with and how they do so. Importantly, the introduction of scenarios with male victims, female perpetrators, and LGBTQ individuals is associated with findings that diverge from prior research. This suggests that in order to fully understand the factors that impact bystander intervention, non-heteronormative scenarios need to be included in future research.