Take active bystander training to improve work environment

Active bystander training is a research-based approach to tackling bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and other inappropriate behaviours.

The training focuses on those who are nearby but not directly involved in the events. By becoming aware of and recognising harassment and sexual harassment and being given tools for how to act in different situations, bystanders can prevent harassment from taking hold. Active bystander training is an effective way to prevent harassment from escalating.

Tools for bystanders

“The training aims to give participants a general understanding of what harassment and sexual harassment are and how they might manifest themselves. They are given tools on how to act in different situations to counteract inappropriate and offensive behaviour or harassment and thus help people who are targeted”, explains Svantesson, HR Strategist at the University Administration.

The training is part of the preventive work environment and equal opportunities management at the University.

“We need to raise awareness about harassment and sexual harassment and what we can all do to prevent it from happening,” continues Svantesson.

Problems at University and in society

A national survey in 2022 of gender-based violence and sexual harassment at higher education institutions found that women are more likely than men to experience sexual harassment, and that it is also more often men who are responsible for the harassment. This is not a unique situation at higher education institutions, but rather confirms a generally recognised picture from research and other studies in wider society.

In a report by Minna Salminen-Karlsson, affiliated researcher at the Centre for Gender Research who has analysed the University’s results in the survey, two areas are highlighted that are particularly important to remedy at Uppsala University: firstly, the differences between staff born in Sweden and employees born abroad, and between students born in Sweden both of whose parents were born abroad and students whose parents were both born in Sweden; and secondly, that there is extensive under-reporting of sexual harassment and students’ possibilities for reporting such incidents. (Find out more about the report via the links in the fact box below.)

“It is hoped that active bystander training will help to reduce the occurrence of harassment and to prevent it from becoming entrenched. Salminen Karlsson put it well in a news article about the report: ‘Research has shown that minor harassment – if left unchallenged – risks leading to more serious harassment,’” Svantesson quotes.

Register for the course

The active bystander training will be offered in Swedish and English on six occasions in autumn 2024, lasting approximately two hours and given via Zoom. Registration is required as places are limited. There is also an intention to offer courses in spring 2025.

Find out more about the course and how to apply.

Anders Berndt