Beavers Give a Dam:
Gender-Based Violence Prevention Education
Beavers Give A Dam
"Beavers Give a Dam" is a university-wide initiative to prevent gender-based violence through everyday actions. It means that our OSU community is committed to consistent, intentional practices that bring us closer to a community that is free from violence and oppression.
Beavers Give a Dam by stepping in when they see something concerning or potentially harmful to another person. This includes situations like noticing someone being touched inappropriately, seeing someone being isolated at a party, overhearing degrading comments or jokes about someone’s identity, discrimination, and other problematic interactions.
Tips for intervening
- Do not be antagonistic
- Avoid using violence
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Make your presence known
- Tell others about your plans
- Recruit help if possible
- If you cannot intervene, find someone who can
- Use the resources around you first—try to find someone nearby who can help.
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Intervention Styles
Direct Intervention
- Directly interact with the person causing harm and/or person experiencing harm to address concern.
- Direct Scripts:
- "Okay, it’s time for you to go."
- "Hey, are you okay?"
- "I don’t like what I’m seeing here. How can I help?"
Distract Intervention
- Interrupt the situation without directly confronting anyone.
- Distract Scripts
- “I have to pee, come with me.”
- Spill your drink
- Be an awkward third wheel
- “I’m starving, let’s grab food!”
- Begin a new game or activity
Delegate
- Recruit help by asking/telling others what to do to address the concern.
- Delegate Scripts
- "Will you come with me to see if ____ is okay?"
- "I don’t like what I’m seeing over there? What do you think we can do?"
- "He won’t leave her alone. They both look drunk. You tell the bartender and I’ll find her friends."
Request our "Beavers Give A Dam: Bystander Intervention" workshop
Learn more about ways to intervene and put bystander skills into practice.