Bystander Intervention Training for Bullying and Sexual Harassment: Impact and Social Validity

This quasiexperimental study examined the effectiveness and acceptability of NAB IT!, a school-based bystander intervention program targeting bullying and sexual harassment. Ninety-six secondary school students across five schools participated in the 3.5-4 h training. Surveys administered at pretest, post-test, and 6-month follow-up assessed changes in bystander intervention knowledge and behavior, advocacy skills, self-reported forms of bystander intervention in bullying and sexual harassment, and positive peer relationships. Results indicated significant, large improvements from pre- to post-test and 6-month follow-up in bystander intervention (η2ₚ = .31), knowing how to intervene (η2ₚ = .36), self-reported intervention (η2ₚ = .24), advocacy skills (η2ₚ = .31), and medium increases in positive peer relationships (η2ₚ = .06.), although there were decreases from post-test to follow-up. In actual bullying incidents, participants reported increased direct intervention (η2ₚ = .16.) and emotional support (η2ₚ = .11), with the latter being maintained at follow-up. No significant changes were found for bystander responses to sexual harassment, possibly due to low exposure rates. Students rated NAB IT! as highly acceptable, particularly regarding clarity, usefulness, and learning. Findings support NAB IT! as a socially valid and potentially impactful approach for enhancing bystander intervention skills. Further research using rigorous designs and diverse samples is warranted.Impact StatementNAB IT! (a bystander intervention training program) gives students practical tools to stand up for peers who are being bullied or sexually harassed, and this study shows many of those skills last over time. Students felt more confident and capable of intervening, and they often used emotional support strategies with bullied peers. The program was also viewed as highly acceptable, suggesting it may be a valuable addition to school efforts to reduce bullying and promote positive relationships.