Bystander effect: From the sidelines to the frontline against bullying
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you witness someone being harassed or bullied but not reacting because you’re waiting for someone else to do so? Then you may have experienced the bystander effect.
What is the bystander effect?
The bystander effect is a social psychological phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. Rather than acting on their personal sense of moral obligation, bystanders often defer responsibility, believing someone else will step in. Three psychological factors are thought to facilitate bystander apathy:
- the feeling of having less responsibility when more bystanders are present (diffusion of responsibility),
- the fear of unfavorable public judgment when helping (evaluation apprehension),
- and the belief that because no one else is helping, the situation is not actually an emergency (pluralistic ignorance).
The term “bystander effect” traces back to the aftermath of the 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese in New York City. Reports at the time suggested that dozens of neighbors witnessed (or heard) the attack yet failed to intervene or contact police. Psychologists John M. Darley and Bibb Latané studied the incident and formalized their findings in a landmark series of experiments in 1968.
Being a bystander in cases of harassment and bullying
However, it doesn’t always take a murder for bystander behavior to have devastating consequences on a victim. The bystander effect is closely related to harassment and bullying, as it often prevents individuals from intervening when they witness such behavior.
In cases of bullying or harassment, this can lead to a dangerous silence where no one speaks up, enabling the harmful behavior to continue unchecked. Fear of retaliation, social pressure, or a belief that it’s “not their place” can reinforce inaction. As a result, the bystander effect not only allows bullying to persist but can also make victims feel isolated and powerless.
Harassment and bullying onboard
When a crew member experiences unwanted comments, exclusion, or intimidation, the presence of others should, in theory, offer a safeguard. Yet thanks to the bystander effect, each additional witness can actually dilute the urgency to act: individuals assume someone else will step in, worry they might misread the situation, or conclude that no one else’s inaction means no harm is being done.
The State of the Industry Snapshot report by Sailors’ Society, focused on bullying and harassment at sea, revealed a worrying picture. The data highlights significant barriers to reporting bullying and harassment in the maritime industry, revealing a troubling reliance on individuals handling incidents themselves rather than seeking formal resolutions.
Fear of retaliation and a widespread belief that reporting would lead to no meaningful change indicate a systemic failure to build trust and accountability within the industry. Furthermore, the inaction of others may unintentionally validate the abuser’s behavior and allow the toxic environment to persist.
However, breaking this cycle doesn’t require heroism, it requires awareness, courage, and small but impactful actions.
Creating safer environments at sea means fostering a culture where abuse is not tolerated, where reporting mechanisms are trusted and effective, and where leadership is trained to respond with respect, thoughtfulness, accountability and care
… said Steve Trowsdale, Inspectorate Coordinator, International Transport Workers’ Federation to SAFETY4SEA.
Overcoming the phenomenon
According to the American Psychological Association, becoming an upstander, rather than a bystander, involves noticing the situation, evaluating the nature of the problem, and assuming responsibility for intervening. Then, it’s important to decide if you have the skills or ability to approach the situation and then choose to take action.
Cambridge University has provided advice and strategies for distracting, interrupting, or addressing problematic situations. These include:
Before intervening, follow the ABC method:
- Assess for safety: If you notice someone in trouble, consider whether you can help without putting yourself at risk. Your own safety should always come first.
- Be in a group: It’s safer to confront or challenge the behavior with others. If that’s not possible, inform someone else who can help.
- Care for the victim: Check in with the person who may need assistance and ask if they’re alright.
Ways to intervene safely: Keep in mind the four Ds
#1 Direct
Calmly address the negative behavior by asking the person to stop or checking on the victim. Do this with others if possible, and explain clearly why the behavior is unacceptable without exaggerating or escalating the situation.
#2 Distract
Interrupt the situation by starting a conversation with the wrongdoer, giving the potential victim a chance to move away or be supported by friends. You can also create a reason to remove the victim from the situation, like needing to speak with them or saying they have a call.
#3 Delegate
If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe intervening yourself, ask someone else to step in.
#4 Delay
If the situation is too risky (e.g., threat of violence or being outnumbered), leave and wait for a safer moment to check on the victim or report the incident. It’s never too late to take action.
The importance of reporting
In view of the Day of the Seafarer (25 June), this year, IMO launched the campaign ‘My Harassment-Free Ship’, an initiative to promote a culture of respect and zero tolerance for bullying and harassment at sea.
A key feature of the campaign is the launch of an Interactive World Map, highlighting resources available by flag state to support seafarers in reporting and addressing harassment at sea. This tool provides vital information on policies, support systems, and reporting mechanisms, empowering seafarers to seek help wherever they are in the world.
The industry taking steps: Regulation takes a step forward
In May 2024, the IMO approved amendments to the STCW Code to address violence and harassment in the maritime industry. These changes, effective from January 1, 2026, add new mandatory training requirements for seafarers on preventing and responding to sexual assault, harassment, bullying, and other forms of violence onboard ships. The updated training, included in basic safety courses, will cover:
- Understanding violence and harassment and their impacts on individuals and safety
- Factors contributing to violence and harassment, such as abuse of power, discrimination, stress, and substance use
- How to intervene, report incidents, and support victims, bystanders, and oneself using trauma-informed approaches
This ensures seafarers are better equipped to prevent and address violence and harassment at sea.
Looking forward
By transforming passive witnesses into empowered upstanders and fostering trusted systems for reporting, the maritime community can move toward safer, more respectful workplaces at sea.
With continued commitment, courage, and collective action, the cycle of silence can be broken, and we can create ships where every individual feels protected, valued, and supported.
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