BAE Code: A Teaching Guide for Game On!
Teaching Bystander Intervention
BAEcode is meant to disrupt the familiar “Bro Code” and the idea that we’re only watching out for our own group of people. BAEcode envisions a world where we hold each other accountable for kindness, and standing up, and stepping in when we see something wrong.
We launched this campaign during Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2018 as a way to teach and empower teens to practice using bystander intervention tools to prevent sexual harassment and assault in their own peer groups.
What is BAE Code?
Watch out for the safety of everyone, not just your friends.
Never pressure someone to do something sexually.
Don’t send unrequested nude photos.
Always get enthusiastic consent on sexual activity.
GAME ON! is the centerpiece of BAEcode, our bystander intervention campaign.
The concept was developed by co-founder Ella Fairon, WITH teens FOR teens, to portray everyday situations and give them easy strategies they can use to help them step-in, whether in-person or online. The entire production team (writing, producing, directing, casting) was comprised of high school and college students.
We know that middle and high schoolers have the power and responsibility to change the conversation, shift culture, and make our communities safer and free from sexual violence.
“The idea is simple: many cases of sexual violence can be prevented or stopped if an alert bystander intervenes in time.” – Ella Fairon | Director
Why Teach Bystander Intervention?
Bystander (or BAE*stander) intervention is a crucial tool to engage EVERYONE in the prevention of sexual harassment and assault. The concept is simple: Many cases of sexual and dating violence can be stopped if an alert bystander intervenes in time. If people spot a person at a party who may be bothering or taking advantage of someone they can interrupt the situation, thereby preventing a sexual assault from happening. Without talking about it and giving people easy ways to step up, many people likely do nothing. It’s hard enough for an adult to intervene, but for young people, there are many additional social and logistical pressures, such as not wanting to draw attention to themselves or not quite knowing what to do. Research shows that teaching teens intervention strategies can in fact, lower the incidence of harassment and sexual assault. This BAEcode facilitator guide will help you identify potentially dangerous situations in GAME ON! and teach students creative ways to intervene. One of the core tenets of BAEcode is that everyone can learn how to de-escalate a situation where consent has not, or cannot, be given. GAME ON! focuses on DISTRACTION and DE-ESCALATION tactics on screen; but during your discussion with students, other bystander intervention strategies will naturally come up.
Bystander Intervention Statistics
- Rates of sexual violence fell by 17% on American campuses that trained bystanders to prevent or intervene in an assault. (Green Dot.)
- The presence of a bystander makes a completed rape 44% less likely. (Clay-Warner, 2002).
- A bystander is present in about 30% cases of rape. threat of rape or unwanted sexual contact. (Associated Press)
