Serving the High Plains

Intimate Partner Violence Task Force hosts bystander intervention training

Anyone who has run across a potentially violent situation but refrained from intervention because of uncertainty should take bystander intervention training at noon Sept. 22, hosted by the Quay County Health Council’s Intimate Partner Violence Task Force.

The training is free and will be offered in-person and online. The presenter will be Kaitlin Dunken with ARISE Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy Center.

The in-person training will be at the Quay County Extension Office at 216 E. Center St. in Tucumcari. Attendees should use door on the west side of the building. Current COVID-19 restrictions will be followed.

Participants also may attend via the Zoom videoconference platform or watch on Facebook Live at @quaycountyhealth. To get the Zoom link, email [email protected] or text (575) 815-4575 and ask for “bystander link.”

Training will provide strategies and techniques to intervene directly or indirectly in emergency and non-emergency situations. Participants will learn ways to de-escalate a situation while keeping themselves safe. The discussion will cover what to do when coming upon a situation while shopping or viewing social media platforms or being directly involved in a violent situation. Real-life situations and scenarios will discussed.

This training is appropriate for high-school and college students, as they are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence.

Bystander intervention training also is an effective way to address and prevent harassment and discrimination in the workplace.