Bystander Intervention: Putting a Stop to Sexual Assault

This excellent guidance program provides viewers with helpful skills for stepping in safely when faced with an instance of sexual assault (with a sensible disclaimer not to put one's self at risk). Two hosts are referred back to often (with clips from experts Robert Eckstein of the University of New Hampshire and social worker Amy Edelstein) as they pick apart an alcohol-fueled teen party scenario in which a boor becomes aggressive—trying to get a girl to drink and separate her from the group—while two male and female partygoers watch worriedly. Exploring ways to reduce the risk of sexual assaults (while noting that one in five females will be assaulted each year), Bystander Intervention explores the concept of “active bystanders,” showing viewers several options: distracting either the perpetrator or victim (in order to get the latter away), telling it “like it is” (if one happens to know the perpetrator and can help diffuse the situation), and calling a trusted adult, the police, or other security member if the situation can't be handled safely. Also offering advice on how to support a friend recovering from a bad experience, this exceptional program includes a PDF teacher's guide. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Williams-Wood)