In spring 2012, recruitment and planning for the development of a student-lead bystander intervention team was begun through the collaboration of Sara Smith, Director for Alcohol and Other Drug Program Prevention (Marquette University Medical Clinic), and Jill Weisensel, Lieutenant of Police (MUPD).

Since 2011, Marquette University has placed greater emphasis on creating a culture that reduces the likelihood of behaviors and actions that negatively impact the well being of our campus community. Specifically, great strides have been made to address the occurrence of sexual assault and to help people who have been impacted by sexual assault feel more supported. Since 2011, all first-year residential students and commuters have been asked to participate in the Unless There’s Consent sexual assault training program in the residence halls.

To keep this momentum moving in a positive direction, in Fall 2014 all McCabe Hall residents were asked to attend and participate in a one-hour bystander intervention training session, which focused on recognizing situations that are potentially harmful and teaches skills and strategies to effectively intervene should the need arise. As men and women for and with others, we expect members of the Marquette community to recognize, intervene, prevent, and/or stop inappropriate comments, actions, and behaviors. We aspire to create a campus in which students are able to undertake learning safely and successfully. We Are Marquette. We Take Action.

Through the pilot we have move expanding the training to reach all second-year residential and commuter students during September and October 2015. These trainings will be co-facilitated by the resident assistant on each floor or wing and a graduate student enrolled in the Student Affairs in Higher Education program.

When looking at best practice in the fields of sexual violence prevention, alcohol and other drug prevention, and personal safety, bystander intervention training is a effective means to address all of these areas of personal and community wellness. In additional, peer education and peer facilitated learning is best practice in health and wellness education.