Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center

10/15/2026

10/13/2026

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10/12/2026

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10/08/2026

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10/05/2026

Be an Upstander.
An upstander is a person who speaks up or takes action to oppose unjust behaviors or practices instead of remaining quietly passive; domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, bullying, and other abusive behaviors that extert power and control.

Key Characteristics of an Upstander
1. Intervention: They recognize a high-risk, harmful, or unfair situation and make a conscious choice to intervene to make things better.

2. Support: They offer safety, empathy, and validation to the person being targeted.

3. Accountability: They help create a culture of respect, whether in schools, workplaces, online spaces, or their communities, by signaling that abusive or discriminatory behavior is unacceptable.

Common Ways People Act as Upstanders
Being an upstander does not necessarily mean physically confronting an aggressor. It can take many safe and subtle forms:

1. Calling it out directly: Saying "that's not OK" or interrupting the behavior if it is safe to do so.

2. Supporting the victim privately: Reaching out to the targeted person afterward to ask if they are okay and let them know they are supported.

3. Reporting the behavior: contacting law enforcement, alerting a trusted adult, HR department, or site administrator about the issue.

4. Distracting or disrupting: Changing the subject or creating a diversion to safely de-escalate a tense situation.

10/01/2026

Did you know DVSAC offers these services below for free? If you are a victim of violent crime please contact our office. ALL SERVICES ARE FREE.