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Student Health Services

Bystander Intervention

  • Bystander Effect

    Research on bystander intervention has produced a great number of studies showing that the presence of other people in a critical situation reduces the likelihood that an individual will help. When there is only one bystander in an emergency, help is more easily given because it is clear who has the responsibility to intervene. When there are multiple bystanders present, the diffusion of responsibility is distributed amongst a group. This leads to individuals feeling less responsible to help a victim. It is our hope that in the case you are in an emergency, you will choose to be an active bystander and intervene.

  • Bystander Model

    There are many resources on campus, but you play an important role in helping your friends get to those resources.


    We want to share with you a bystander model that consists of six simple steps:


    1. Notice an occurrence out of the ordinary.
    2. Decide in your gut if something is amiss or unacceptable.
    3. Ask yourself, "Could I play a role here?"
    4. Assess your options for giving help.
    5. Determine potential risk for taking action.
    6. Decide whether to act now or later.

    Being an active bystander doesn’t always mean a superhero act but can be as simple as saying you do not agree with a discriminatory and/or derogatory statement or action or even standing up against hazing.


    You can also use active bystander strategies for other situations around campus, for instance discrimination, bias, academic integrity, hazing, gambling or any other situation that you determine may put others at risk and you have the ability to make a difference.

  • Bystander Strategies

    Bystander strategies could include:


    • Creating a distraction to help someone get out of any type of uncomfortable situation. Distractions could be spilling something, “accidentally” turning off the lights or asking to take a picture.

    • Directly informing someone that what they are saying is offensive.

    • Walking a friend over to CAPS if they have shared they are struggling.

    • Taking a person’s keys away after they have been drinking.


    Other ideas on how to begin a bystander conversation in a non-medical emergency could be:


    • I have noticed that you have not been hanging out with us much lately. Is something going on?

    • I have not seen you in class lately. Is everything okay?

  • Hazing and Bullying

    Clemson University Hazing Policy

    Clemson University's core values are Integrity, Honesty and Respect. Hazing is not consistent with these core values. Therefore, all Clemson University community members/organizations are expected to refrain from hazing (see Clemson University Student Code of Conduct, Section V.A.16).


    Hazing is any situation created or action taken – for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in an organization – which meets one or more of the criteria below. Hazing can be intentional or unintentional, and can occur with or without consent. Hazing is also any act that meets the definition of hazing contained in South Carolina Code of Laws section 59-101-200.


    For information on the Clemson University Hazing Policy and the South Carolina State Law on hazing, please read the Office of Community and Ethical Standards' Student Handbook.


    If the incident is occurring in real time: 

    • If you are actively witnessing a hazing incident or emergency situation, please contact 911 or the Clemson University Police Department (CUPD) at 864-656-2222.
    • Report anonymously using the Rave Guardian app. This allows you to text with CUPD discreetly if you cannot make a call.

    If the incident happened recently or you received information about an incident:

    • Per the Clemson University Student Handbook, anyone may submit a complaint against a student or student organization for misconduct. This complaint can be submitted in writing or electronically to the Office of Community and Ethical Standards (OCES). You can learn more about OCES on the website.
    • You may report an incident online using the Incident Report Form
    • The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and OCES take all reports of hazing seriously. OCES investigates all allegations of hazing that are reported.
    • In order for OCES to investigate successfully, it is important to provide the name of the individual/organization and as many details of the incident as possible.

    Information that is helpful in reviewing a hazing report:

    • Date, location and time (as specific as possible)
    • Name(s) of individuals or organizations involved
    • Alleged behavior(s)
    • Any photographic, video or text evidence that may support the report
    • Any relevant contact information for individuals with direct knowledge or involvement
    • You are able to report anonymously, but reporting anonymously without the above information will limit the University's investigative process

    Hazing Resources


    Report Hazing
Student Health Services
Student Health Services | Redfern Health Center, 735 McMillan Road, Clemson, SC 29634