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Bystander Network

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Required for all second-year Undergraduate Students at MSU 

Bystander Network is a one-hour, in person, bystander intervention training facilitated by POE Peer Educators. Participants will discuss ways to challenge, interrupt, and prevent gender-based violence by being active bystanders.

As members of the Michigan State University community, it's important that all Spartans strive toward creating a safer campus climate for all. Everyone has a responsibility in preventing gender-based violence and this workshop will provide realistic and effective tips on how to ensure that Spartans Will be active bystanders.

What You'll Learn: The importance of being an active bystander. Hot to notice and identify red flags or signs of potentially harmful situations. Ways to safely intervene in potentially harmful situations. How to support people who have been harmed. Where and how to access campus and community resources and supportive services.
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Did you know?

Bystander intervention is an important and effective method for reducing and preventing instances of relationship violence and sexual misconduct on college campuses. Completing the Bystander Network training helps to create a larger network of active bystanders dedicated to reducing instances of gender-based violence on campus.

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Online Education Programs

Our workshops are created with a survivor focus and are intentionally made to be sensitive to the topics of sexual and relationship violence. We have had survivor input during the creation of the workshops that help to make them trauma-informed and to present the content in the least upsetting, or triggering, way to folks who have experienced trauma. Our workshops create a space that allows the attendees to feel comfortable and safe, which also includes the option to step out or leave at any time they feel the information is too much. Our peer educators presenting the workshops are also trained to handle difficult situations and check in with those who need to step out and debrief.

Your safety and well-being is our priority. If you are concerned that the workshop might be a difficult experience, you may request accommodations by contacting the Training and Accommodation Specialist at empower@msu.edu.

If you need accommodations to attend your workshop, please email empower@msu.edu as soon as possible before your workshop date. Please contact our staff at least 14 days prior to your workshop to allow time to implement your request.

Yes, the Bystander Network workshop is required for all students in their second year at MSU.

Information about a variety of topics including logging in, enrolling and verifying attendance as well as real-time updates can be found at: https://michiganstate.sharepoint.com/sites/AbilityTrainingSystemHelpFAQ/SitePages/Scheduled-Workshops-for-SARV,-Bystander,-and-Health-Care.aspx

You can register again for another workshop by following the instructions in your email to cancel your registration and select a new workshop date and time. Email empower@msu.edu with any additional questions.

Follow the instructions in your email to register again. If workshops have concluded for the fall semester, you must register for a workshop in the spring semester. Email empower@msu.edu with any additional questions.

All second year students are automatically assigned to the course and will receive notifications about the Bystander Network Workshop. You will continue to receive these notifications until after you have attended a workshop and your attendance has been recorded. At times, this can take a few days to reflect in the system. If you believe there is an error and your attendance was not captured, please reach out to us at empower@msu.edu.

This workshop is required for all second-year students, but if you feel that you have exceptional circumstances, please contact our department at empower@msu.edu.

If the university cancels classes due to weather, workshops will also be canceled. However, you will still need to attend a workshop. You can follow the instructions in your registration email to sign up for a new workshop.

While we greatly value the education and experience students have had with gender-based violence prevention, this workshop will give all MSU students a consistent knowledge base about prevention, bystander intervention, and resources of where to get help at MSU.

Prevention, Outreach and Education (POE) hires new peer educators every spring semester to begin work for the following fall semester. Check this website for an online application during the spring.

Please contact our department at empower@msu.edu.