BAEcode: A Teaching Guide for GAME ON!
Teaching Bystander Intervention
BAEcode was created to disrupt the familiar “Bro Code” — the idea that we only look out for our own friends or social group. Instead, BAEcode envisions a culture where we all hold each other accountable for kindness, step up when we see harm, and intervene to keep one another safe.
We launched this campaign during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in 2018 to give teens the tools and confidence to practice bystander intervention. By teaching and empowering young people to step in, we aim to prevent sexual harassment and assault within their own peer groups — and shift the culture toward care and accountability.
What is BAEcode?
Watch out for everyone’s safety — not just your close friends.
Never pressure someone into sexual activity of any kind.
Don’t ever send unrequested nude photos.
Always get enthusiastic consent before & during any sexual activity.
GAME ON! is the centerpiece of BAEcode, our bystander intervention campaign.
Created with teens, for teens by SafeBAE co-founder Ella Fairon, the short film portrays everyday situations and gives young people simple, practical strategies to step in — whether in-person or online. The entire production team — writing, producing, directing, and casting — was made up 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 build communities that are safe 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
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Why Teach Bystander Intervention?
Bystander (or BAE*stander) intervention is one of the most effective tools we have to engage everyone in the prevention of sexual harassment and assault. The idea is simple: many cases of sexual and dating violence can be stopped if an alert bystander steps in.
If someone at a party notices another person being pressured, isolated, or taken advantage of, they can interrupt the situation and potentially prevent a sexual assault from happening. But without talking openly about it and giving people practical ways to act, most will do nothing. Intervening can feel intimidating even for adults — and for young people, the social pressure and uncertainty of “what to do” can make it even harder.
That’s why teaching bystander skills is so important. Research shows that when teens learn concrete strategies to step in, rates of harassment and assault go down. The BAEcode Facilitator Guide uses the GAME ON! campaign to help identify risky situations and introduce creative strategies for safe intervention. One of BAEcode’s core principles is that everyone can learn to de-escalate situations where consent has not, or cannot, be given. While GAME ON! highlights distraction and de-escalation tactics on screen, classroom discussions often bring up other useful strategies as well.
SafeBAE is a 501c3 Not-for-Profit Organization
