Unveiling the Bystander's Role: A Qualitative Study on Interventions in Street Harassment Against Women

Street harassment is a prevalent form of Violence Against Women (VAW) but despite its frequency it has been trivialized. Bystanders are often present when this violence occurs and can play a crucial role. This study focuses on the experiences of bystanders in street harassment, applying a qualitative analysis to explore their thoughts, emotions, and actions, and the factors that facilitate or inhibit their interventions. A total of 217 participants provided qualitative responses about their experiences witnessing street harassment. Data was gathered through an online questionnaire and examined using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that nearly half of the bystanders intervened, with direct and immediate responses being most common. Fear of retaliation, uncertainty about the need for intervention, and lack of time or appropriate circumstances were major barriers. Gender differences were noted, with women intervening out of empathy and moral conviction, while men's interventions were often influenced by the presence of known individuals. This research highlights the need for intervention programs to teach bystanders less confrontational approaches and foster empathy and moral responsibility, particularly among men, to encourage broader societal participation in combating this violence.