Nadine McKillop

Sexual assault is a worldwide problem, with university students victimised at a higher rate than the general population, often in a party environment where a bystander(s) may be present. Bystander research relies on self-report data, often susceptible to socially desirable responding, not actual behaviour. There were two aims to address this limitation: (1) to develop an ecologically valid experimental method for assessing bystander intervention; and (2) to assess bystander behaviour in response to sexual assault in a party-setting. A mixed-methodology approach was utilised to ensure a rigorous study. Three sections comprised the study: ‘party’, questionnaire, and interview. To create a party environment immersive technology, and invisible theatre, whereby actors played out behavioural cues for a sexual assault, was used. Thirteen participants were recruited to attend a ‘party’. They were led to believe the aim of the study was to determine how effective the Immerse Studio is at hosting parties. However, participants’ natural behaviours in relation to the behavioural cues for a sexual assault were observed. The party environment was realistic and the deception was not identified. Bystander reactions varied, with only two bystanders directly intervening. Contrary to past research, individual factors alone did not influence intervention, rather the combination of contextual (e.g., social support) and individual (e.g., personality) factors influenced
intervention. The experimental methodology addressed a major gap. With further testing expanding the sample size, the methodology can be refined to augment existing bystander intervention programmes to reduce the prevalence of sexual assault on campuses