Moral motivations of bystanders in potential sexual assault situations

• DOI: 10.1080/03057240.2021.1972947
• Publication Date: 2021-10-05T06:26:34Z
• Authors: Madeline Brodt; Sharon Lamb; Marta Pagan-Ortiz; Sam Gable
• Keywords: Thematic Analysis; Bystander effect; Foundation (evidence); Sexual assault

Sexual assault on college campuses has become a major concern. A common response been to provide bystander intervention training, which research shows may short-term attitude change without reducing the number of assaults. Current curricula and neglect very factors that could play part in students’ desire ability intervene, one be moral motivations. For this qualitative study, we interviewed students (n = 38) who identified as having bystanders ‘sketchy sexual situation’ understand, from perspective, their decisions intervene or not. In exploring narratives, used Moral Foundation Theory categorize reasoning participants explore voices motivations adhere these categories. Through thematic/discourse analysis additional discourses. Implications for changes training are discussed.