‍The 5-Ds of Bystander Intervention

The 5 Ds of Bystander Intervention has been widely adopted internationally by NGOs, universities, and equality bodies, including adaptations for anti-racism, sexual harassment prevention, and workplace inclusion. The “5 Ds” stand for:

1. Distract – Interrupt the incident indirectly. This could mean asking the targeted person a question, creating a diversion, or starting an unrelated conversation that breaks the aggressor’s focus.
2. Delegate – Bring in someone with authority,such as a bus driver, security officer, shop manager, or Garda. Be specific: “That person is being racially abused; please help!.
3. Document – If safe to do so, record the incident discreetly or note details such as location, time, and description of the aggressor. Always get the targeted person’s consent before sharing any footage or information online or with authorities.
4. Delay – If it’s not possible to step in immediately, approach the person afterwards. A simple, “I saw what happened. Are you alright?” can provide reassurance. Offer to accompany them or help them report the incident if they wish to do so.
5. Direct – If you feel safe, address the behaviour clearly and calmly: “That’s racist, and it’s not acceptable.” Avoid insults or arguments; keep the focus on stopping the abuse.

The 5-Ds of Bystander Intervention is grounded in social psychology research on the bystander effect and has been tested through thousands of training sessions globally.

Here is how to Intervene: 

Step 1: Safety First

Before doing anything, take a moment to assess:

• Is the aggressor intoxicated, armed, or in a group?
• Is there a safe escape route if things escalate?
• Are there others nearby who could assist you?

Your safety, and the safety of the person targeted, comes first. If the risk is high, you may choose a less direct method, such as Delegate or Document.

Step 2: Indirect and Direct Action - If It’s Safe

Indirect action meaningfully intervenes without escalating the situation. This focuses on supporting the person targeted rather than challenging the aggressor head-on.

Distract

• Shift the focus away from the harassment.
• Talk to the targeted person about something unrelated (“Do you know what stop is next?”), drop something to create a small commotion, or pretend you know them and greet them warmly.
• The aim is to interrupt the aggressor’s behaviour without openly acknowledging it.

Delegate

• Involve someone with authority or the means to intervene - a bus driver, shop supervisor, security guard, or Garda.
• Be specific in your request: “The person in the blue jacket is being racially abused. Could you please step in?”
• You can also enlist another bystander if you don’t feel safe acting alone.

Both methods allow you to protect and support the victim without drawing the aggressor’s attention to yourself, making them especially useful in situations where the person causing harm might become more aggressive if challenged directly.

If you judge it safe to do so, you can address the behaviour directly. 

• Keep your tone calm, steady, and brief: “That is not okay.” or “Leave them alone.”
• Avoid insults, arguments, or debates -  these can escalate the situation.
• Focus on stopping the behaviour, not on changing the aggressor’s mind.

Step 3: Stay With the Victim

Once the abuse has stopped, or if it can’t be stopped, focus on the person targeted. This aligns with the Delay method from the 5Ds. Even a short moment of support can reduce the emotional impact of harassment.

You might:

• Sit or stand beside them.
• Say, “I saw what happened. It wasn’t okay. Are you alright?”
• Offer to accompany them to a safer place.
• Respect their wishes - some may want to leave quickly, others may want to talk or exchange contact details for witness statements.

Step 4: Report and Document

If the victim wants to report the incident, your information can be important. This is the Document method in the 5Ds.

• Note descriptions of the aggressor, what was said, and the location and time.
• If you recorded a video, ask the victim if they want a copy.
• Never share footage publicly without the victim’s consent - doing so can increase harm and remove their control over the situation.

In Ireland, racist incidents can be reported to:

• Gardaí - for threats, violence, or criminal acts (call 999 or 112).
• Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) — via the iReport online tool.

Why This Approach Works

This sequence — Safety first → Indirect or Direct action if safe → Stay with the victim → Report/document — is consistent with both Right To Be’s 5Ds model and intercultural conflict competence research. It helps ensure:

• No one’s safety is compromised.
• The victim’s needs are prioritised.
• Evidence is there for possible follow-up.

Standing Together

When bystanders consistently respond to racism, it changes public expectations. Abuse becomes something that people expect to be challenged, not ignored.

You don’t need to be fearless or confrontational to help. You just need to be prepared, to act within your own safety limits, and to show, in whatever way you can, that dignity and respect still matter in our shared spaces.

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