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Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to the questions we get asked the most by staff about the 鈥楨xe-Change the Norm鈥� programme.
The Exeter 'Exe-Change the Norm' bystander intervention programme has been developed using research and knowledge from sector leading academics, as well as making continual adjustments based on student feedback.
This bystander intervention training, which is available across all campuses, consists of a single 2-hour in-person session with follow up supporting resources. The training workshop looks at how to be an effective active bystander across a range of settings, but in particular, situations where sexism, sexual violence and racist behaviour could be seen.
Part of Exeter University’s current strategic vision is to build a fair, socially just and inclusive society. Bystander training is one of the integral building blocks to reach that vision, raising awareness of important subject matter and providing skills to safely intervene when necessary. It also forms part of the University's response to the Office for Students' (OfS) E6 condition of registration, focussing on tackling harassment and sexual misconduct.
For students - the Bystander Intervention programme is a one, 2-hour session delivered face-to-face.
The session covers the following:
- Defining who is a bystander and how to move from being passive to active
- Identifying the four psychological stages to intervention
- Recognise the different ways we can intervene. With perpetrators, with victims or engaging allies
- Identifying strategies and approaches for early intervention
- Positively contribute to situations
- Identify and practise intervention and supporting techniques
Please look at our webpage for further details. However, if you would like to know more, have any questions (particularly before signposting the training to students) or would like to book training for your team 鈥� please 诲辞苍鈥檛 hesitate to email bystander@exeter.ac.uk
The staff session includes the following:
Due to the nature of the content, the training is delivered face to face as we want to ensure people feel comfortable having open discussions and sharing their thoughts with peers. The session provides a safe and inclusive space to explore these topics through encouraging a person-centred approach, whilst imparting skills and knowledge based on positive framing. This means, we create an open environment that celebrates individuals鈥� qualities and enables non-judgmental practice of Bystander Intervention. It also allows room to discuss any misunderstandings or misconceptions around race, sexual violence and what skilful and safe intervention can look like.
Yes, however there is limited resource. If you are interested in the training for you or your team, please get in touch via bystander@exeter.ac.uk
Staff can visit to see when the next session is and sign up. If you are looking to run a team or department wide training then please email bystander@exeter.ac.uk or peopledevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.
If staff members are interested in a Bystander session run for their Staff Network, please email bystander@exeter.ac.uk to discuss this and any particular needs or concerns.
If you are signposting students to the training, all undergraduate students can sign up to these sessions through .
Postgraduate students can book onto the training via , or via Trent, or contacting bystander@exeter.ac.uk
Students can also ask the Guild, SU and the AU to run training sessions for their club or society. If you would like to know when the next session is then please email bystander@exeter.ac.uk
Students may find the Student FAQs on the training helpful.
Staff can learn how to become a more inclusive and considerate member of Exeter's staff community, and be more equipped to recognise and intervene constructively in inappropriate or challenging behaviours, including microaggressions. By being able to intervene and defuse in these ways, staff can be part of co-creating a more inclusive environment for our staff, students, and everyone on our campuses and beyond them.
For students, not only do they become a more inclusive and considerate member of Exeter’s community, but if they complete the session, they gain skills and strategies in defusing potentially harmful situations. From a personal development perspective, they can also use a training session they have attended as the personal development aspect for the Exeter Award.
Students can complete the session throughout the academic year. Students need to check My Career Zone to see when the next available training session is on their campus. If they cannot find the session they are looking for please ask them to email bystander@exeter.ac.uk
The training is one session, lasting 2 hours, face to face. This is the case for both student and staff sessions.
A trained facilitator working for Exeter University solely to deliver bystander training. The Exe-Change the Norm programme has been written specifically with Exeter University in mind.
You can email bystander@exeter.ac.uk
OR Lewis Nurton (l.nurton@exeter.ac.uk)