Bystander Intervention Trainings
Anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment are on the rise across the US — and the world. In these virtual workshops hosted on Zoom and co-sponsored by Asian Americans Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California and Right To Be, you’ll learn how you can intervene effectively as a bystander without ever compromising your safety.
In response to the alarming surge in hate incidents targeting the Asian American community, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, a leading legal and civil rights organization, launched its first-ever bystander intervention initiative in 2021. The effort includes the debut of a PSA narrated by actor Ken Jeong designed to promote awareness and usage of bystander intervention methods. Intended to prevent verbal harassment from escalating into physical violence, these techniques offer everyday people the chance to assist victims and play a role in keeping their communities safe.
Created in partnership with Right To Be, a nonprofit working to end harassment in all its forms, the PSAs are based on the “5Ds of bystander intervention”, which are different methods a person can use to help victims of harassment.
Right To Be has begun “How To Respond To Harrassment and Practice Resilience” trainings for when people experience anti-Asian/American harrassment.
More resources on Bystander Training
- The 5Ds of Bystander Intervention, by Right To Be
- Show Up, Your Guide to Bystander Intervention, by Right To Be in collaboration with CUP
- Responding To And Preventing Harassment, by Right To Be. Written to respond to Anti-Asian/American harassment, but the tactics are applicable to all forms of harassment.
- Self-care guide to healing from Online Harassment, by Right To Be
- Digital Safety Guide, by Right To Be
- HeartMob, a platform where you can get support managing online harassment and/or support others experiencing it, by Right To Be
- Be A Super Ally with the 5D’s by Right To Be, Bystander Intervention for Kids!
- I’ve Got Your Back, a step-by-step instructional guide to safe and effective bystander, by Right To Be
- Filming Hate, by WITNESS on how to safely film and document incidents of hate
Know Your Rights Trainings
- 4/16/25 from 2:00pm-3:00pm Pacific (English): Register Here
- 4/24/25 from 12:00pm-1:00pm Pacific (English): Register Here
Signup for Bystander Intervention Trainings
Virtual Bystander Intervention Training - English 6/17/25 at 12:00pm Pacific: Register Here
Please see these and all other events here.
What can I learn?
The one-hour, interactive training will teach you Right To Be’s 5Ds of bystander intervention methodology.
- We’ll start by talking about the types of disrespect that Asian and Asian American folks are facing right now -from microaggressions to violence – using a tool we call the “spectrum of disrespect.”
- You’ll learn what to look for and the positive impact that bystander intervention has on individuals and communities.
- We’ll talk through five strategies for intervention: distract, delegate, document, delay and direct; and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening.
- We’ll have time at the end for practice and you’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see anti-Asian/American harassment online or in person.
Signup for How to Respond to Harassment & Practice Resilience Training
Virtual How to Respond to Harassment and Practice Resilience Training – English 6/25/25 at 12:00pm Pacific: Register Here
Please see these and all other events here.
What can I learn?
During this interactive training, you’ll learn Right To Be’s methodology for responding to anti-Asian/American harassment:
- Trust your Instincts
- Reclaim Your Space
- Practice Resilience
You’ll learn how your identities can shape your experience of harassment and the impact that harassment has on you and your community as a whole. We’ll talk about what to look for when assessing your safety and how to determine if responding at the moment is the right action or not. We’ll also dive deeply into building your resilience on an individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and societal front. You’ll leave with new tools on how to respond to harassment, whether your response is in the moment while that harassment is happening or long-term.
