De-escalating harassment: Bystander intervention training 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Sat.
If you saw someone out in public being harassed or victimized, would you choose to intervene?
And if so, do you know the best strategies?
The Western New York Anti-Violence Project is presenting bystander intervention training 7 p.m. Friday as well as 1 p.m. Saturday at 3105 Main St. in Buffalo.
“The event will start with information on de-escalation techniques and how to engage yourself in a situation where someone is being harassed and how to best diffuse the situation,” said Robert Pawlewski.
He’ll be leading the training, and its goal is to make sure the victim as well as the bystander remain safe.
“I decided it was important for people to be more aware and actively helping individuals in marginalized communities with the rise in aggression toward minority groups that has occurred since the current administration took office,” Pawlewski said.
Right now the program is based in Buffalo, but Pawlewski said conducting a training class in Niagara Falls — or other Niagara County locations — is a possibility.
“I hope to turn this into a full-fledged citizens watch program,” he said.
