Bystander Intervention For The Entertainment Industry

Do you know how to safely intervene if you see a co-worker being bullied or intimidated? Did you know there are different ways to intervene to match your comfort level? In just 90 minutes you will learn five easily accessible tools, illustrated by relevant scenarios, for use in any workplace to safely intervene without the worry of retaliation. The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative will present a free webinar “Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Workplace” once a quarter over the next year.

These webinars follow on the success of last spring’s trainings, with previous attendees commenting, “This is the type of training that will help us transform both our working and personal lives for the better,” “This workshop was so helpful in concisely identifying issues and strategies to deal with them. I feel empowered to address awkward situations in my future,” “This training is engaging, good for participation and interaction, and is full of great examples and a variety of methods to use to help others who may need help,” and “The best part of the Bystander Intervention training for me was the many different ways of approaching a situation which I'd never thought of. We all have our own set of mechanisms, but this helped me think outside of my box.”

Behind the Scenes is partnering with Right To Be, a social justice organization that specializes in education around bullying and harassment, to present this free quarterly webinar on October 18, 2022 and January 30, April 30 and July 17 2023. Principal Right To Be trainer, Dax Valdes, an experienced entertainment industry professional, will lead these interactive sessions that ensure attendee anonymity.

The webinars are free but advance registration is required in order to receive the zoom login. Please visit btshelp.org/bystander to select a registration link for the date of your choice.

BTS’ 2019 survey strongly indicated that bullying, harassment and intimidation is a common workplace stressor throughout all sectors of the entertainment industry. These behaviors create a physically and psychologically unsafe workplace for everyone. This training will teach you how to safely intervene and help to make a difference.

Right To Be’s goal is to reduce instances of workplace disrespect and harassment by giving individuals the tools they need to disrupt those perpetrating it. You will learn the 5Ds of bystander intervention methodology - distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct. 98% of attendees leave these trainings committed to intervening if they witness disrespect or harassment at work.

This webinar is offered as part of an ongoing “Stop Bullying” campaign launched by the Mental Health Initiative in 2021. Available resources include a set of posters to raise awareness of words, actions and behaviors that constitute bullying, harassment or intimidation; information for those who are targets of, or bystanders to, bullying behavior; information to empower individuals to Be Informed, Be Aware, Show Support, and Take Action; and a sample policy and procedures to identify, investigate and resolve instances of bullying, harassment or intimidation and to provide support to those who experience these behaviors.