{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,24]],"date-time":"2026-09-24T17:03:15Z","timestamp":1790269395328,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,21]],"date-time":"2026-09-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1789948800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Trauma, Violence, &amp; Abuse"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Bystander intervention programs are emerging as a promising approach to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV). However, no extensive review of bystander interventions in community-based settings or in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is available. This narrative review aimed to map the existing literature on bystander interventions and identify gaps for future research priorities in the field. Using the scoping review methods of Arksey and O\u2019Malley, relevant studies were identified through broad search criteria across the MEDLINE, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases, as well as in the gray literature. Initial searches yielded 336 records. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) published in English, (2) focused on any form of GBV, (3) focused on some component of bystander interventions, even if it was not explicitly termed a bystander intervention, (4) conducted in LMICs or areas with humanitarian crises, and (5) published after 2000. After screening, 17 articles encompassing various types of peer-reviewed studies and publications from civil society organizations and international organizations were included in the narrative review. The findings suggest that bystander interventions can be creative and should be integrated into larger GBV prevention efforts. Future research should clearly define what constitutes a bystander intervention, explore bystander safety and ways to protect bystanders from potential backlash, and examine the effectiveness of bystander interventions in community contexts.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/15248380261476071","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,22]],"date-time":"2026-09-22T06:08:06Z","timestamp":1790057286000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Exploring Bystander Interventions and Safety in Community Settings to Address Gender-Based Violence in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review"],"prefix":"10.1177","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-4105-5909","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jaina","family":"Lee","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Utah Asia Campus, Songdo, Incheon, South Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0004-6479-4652","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Renu","family":"Golwalkar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"EngenderHealth, Washington, DC, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sharon","family":"Talboys","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9244-2177","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Tejinder P.","family":"Singh","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_4_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abramsky T. Musuya T. Namy S. Watts C. Michau L. (2018). Changing the norms that drive intimate partner violence: Findings from a cluster randomised trial on what predisposes bystanders to take action in Kampala Uganda. BMJ Global Health 3(6) Article e001109. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/bmjgh-2018-001109","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjgh-2018-001109"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Arksey H. O\u2019Malley L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 8(1) 19\u201332. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/1364557032000119616","DOI":"10.1080\/1364557032000119616"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Banyard V. L. (2011). Who will help prevent sexual violence: Creating an ecological model of bystander intervention. Psychology of Violence 1(3) 216\u2013229. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/a0023739","DOI":"10.1037\/a0023739"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_5_1","unstructured":"Barclay A. Higelin M. Bungcaras M. (2016). On the frontline: Catalysing women\u2019s leadership in humanitarian action (p. 10). Actionaid International. https:\/\/www.actionaid.org.uk\/sites\/default\/files\/publications\/actionaid_policy_report_on_the_frontline_catalysing_womens_leadership_in_humanitarian_action.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bergenfeld I. Cislaghi B. Yount K. M. Essaid A. Sajdi J. Taleb R. A. Morrow G. L. D\u2019Souza J. S. Spencer R. A. Clark C. J. (2021). Diagnosing norms surrounding sexual harassment at a Jordanian University. Frontiers in Sociology 6 Article 667220. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fsoc.2021.667220","DOI":"10.3389\/fsoc.2021.667220"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_7_1","unstructured":"Breakthrough India. (2021). Decoding bystander behavior: Actions to address violence against women. Breakthrough. https:\/\/inbreakthrough.org\/ireport\/decoding-bystander-behaviour-actions-to-address-violence-against-women-2021-english-and-hindi\/"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Casey E. A. Allen C. T. Tolman R. M. Carlson J. M. Leek C. (2019). Walking the walk or just talk?: A global examination of men\u2019s intentions to take violence preventative action. Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma 28(9) 1038\u20131056. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10926771.2018.1446480","DOI":"10.1080\/10926771.2018.1446480"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Davies R. L. Rice K. Rock A. J. (2023). A systematic review of informal supporters of intimate partner violence survivors: The intimate partner violence model of informal supporter readiness. PeerJ 11 Article e15160. https:\/\/peerj.com\/articles\/15160\/","DOI":"10.7717\/peerj.15160"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Debnam K. J. Mauer V. (2021). Who when how and why bystanders intervene in physical and psychological teen dating violence. Trauma Violence & Abuse 22(1) 54\u201367. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1524838018806505","DOI":"10.1177\/1524838018806505"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fischer P. Krueger J. I. Greitemeyer T. Vogrincic C. Kastenm\u00fcller A. Frey D. Heene M. Wicher M. Kainbacher M. (2011). The bystander-effect: A meta-analytic review on bystander intervention in dangerous and non-dangerous emergencies. Psychological Bulletin 137(4) 517\u2013537. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/a0023304","DOI":"10.1037\/a0023304"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Flecha R. (2021). Second-order sexual harassment: Violence against the silence breakers who support the victims. Violence Against Women 27(11) 1980\u20131999. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1077801220975495","DOI":"10.1177\/1077801220975495"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_13_1","unstructured":"Gonzalez K. D. Alves B. B. (2016). \u201cNo one helps.\u2004.\u2004.nadie me hace el paro\u201d; Preventing violence against women in public transport. World Bank Blogs. https:\/\/blogs.worldbank.org\/en\/transport\/no-one-helps-nadie-me-hace-el-paro-preventing-violence-against-women-public-transport"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gram L. Chakraborty P. Daruwalla N. Osrin D. (2021). Social and psychological readiness to take collective action against violence against women: A mixed methods study of informal settlements in Mumbai India. Violence Against Women 27(15\u201316) 3176\u20133196. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1077801220971360","DOI":"10.1177\/1077801220971360"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gram L. Paradkar S. Osrin D. Daruwalla N. Cislaghi B. (2023). \u201cOur courage has grown\u201d: A grounded theory study of enablers and barriers to community action to address violence against women in urban India. BMJ Global Health 8(1) Article e011304. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/bmjgh-2022-011304","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjgh-2022-011304"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hardt S. St\u00f6ckl H. Wamoyi J. Ranganathan M. (2022). Sexual harassment in low- and middle-income countries: A qualitative systematic review. Trauma Violence & Abuse 24(5) 3346\u20133362. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/15248380221127255","DOI":"10.1177\/15248380221127255"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_17_1","unstructured":"Inter-Agency Standing Committee. (2015). Guidelines for integrating gender-based violence interventions in humanitarian action. https:\/\/interagencystandingcommittee.org\/system\/files\/2015-iasc-gender-based-violence-guidelines_lo-res.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jouriles E. N. Krauss A. Vu N. L. Banyard V. L. McDonald R. (2018). Bystander programs addressing sexual violence on college campuses: A systematic review and meta-analysis of program outcomes and delivery methods. Journal of American College Health 66(6) 457\u2013466. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/07448481.2018.1431906","DOI":"10.1080\/07448481.2018.1431906"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Keller J. Mboya B. O. Sinclair J. Githua O. W. Mulinge M. Bergholz L. Paiva L. Golden N. H. Kapphahn C. (2017). A 6-week school curriculum improves boys\u2019 attitudes and behaviors related to gender-based violence in Kenya. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 32(4) 535\u2013557. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0886260515586367","DOI":"10.1177\/0886260515586367"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"La Ferle C. Muralidharan S. Kim E. (2019). Using guilt and shame appeals from an eastern perspective to promote bystander intervention: A study of mitigating domestic violence in India. Journal of Advertising 48(5) 555\u201368. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/00913367.2019.1668893","DOI":"10.1080\/00913367.2019.1668893"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_21_1","volume-title":"The unresponsive bystander: Why doesn\u2019t he help?","author":"Latan\u00e9 B.","year":"1970","unstructured":"Latan\u00e9 B., Darley J. M. (1970). The unresponsive bystander: Why doesn\u2019t he help? Appleton-Century-Crofts."},{"key":"e_1_3_4_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liebst L. S. Heinskou M. B. Ejbye-Ernst P. (2018). On the actual risk of bystander intervention: A statistical study based on naturally occurring violent emergencies. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 55(1) 27\u201350. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0022427817710776","DOI":"10.1177\/0022427817710776"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lowe H. Brown L. Ahmad A. Daruwalla N. Gram L. Osrin D. Panchal K. Watson D. Zimmerman C. Mannell J. (2022). Mechanisms for community prevention of violence against women in low- and middle-income countries: A realist approach to a comparative analysis of qualitative data. Social Science & Medicine 305 Article 115064. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.socscimed.2022.115064","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2022.115064"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lyons M. Brewer G. Caicedo J. C. Andrade M. Morales M. Centifanti L. (2021). Barriers to sexual harassment bystander intervention in Ecuadorian universities. Global Public Health 17(6) 1029\u20131040. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/17441692.2021.1884278","DOI":"10.1080\/17441692.2021.1884278"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lyons M. Brewer G. Chopen N. Davila N. El\u00edas D. Danilova L. G\u00f3mez R. Vel\u00e1squez J. Garc\u00eda-Garc\u00eda G. (2023). Barriers to bystander action in sexual violence in Guatemala: The role of rape myth acceptance. Sexuality & Culture 28 155\u2013167. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12119-023-10106-x","DOI":"10.1007\/s12119-023-10106-x"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mainwaring C. Gabbert F. Scott A. J. (2022). A systematic review exploring variables related to bystander intervention in sexual violence contexts. Trauma Violence & Abuse 24(3) 1727\u20131742. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/15248380221079660","DOI":"10.1177\/15248380221079660"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McMahon S. Banyard V. L. (2012). When can I help? A conceptual framework for the prevention of sexual violence through bystander intervention. Trauma Violence & Abuse 13(1) 3\u201314. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1524838011426015","DOI":"10.1177\/1524838011426015"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Miller E. Das M. Tancredi D. J. McCauley H. L. Virata M. C. D. Nettiksimmons J. O\u2019Connor B. Ghosh S. Verma R. (2014). Evaluation of a gender-based violence prevention program for student athletes in Mumbai India. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 29(4) 758\u2013778. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0886260513505205","DOI":"10.1177\/0886260513505205"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mujal G. N. Taylor M. E. Fry J. L. Gochez-Kerr T. H. Weaver N. L. (2019). A systematic review of bystander interventions for the prevention of sexual violence. Trauma Violence & Abuse 22(2) 381\u2013396. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/1524838019849587","DOI":"10.1177\/1524838019849587"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_30_1","unstructured":"Oxfam Policy & Practice. (2019). Smashing spatial patriarchy: Shifting gender norms driving sexual and gender-based violence on public transport in Sri Lanka. https:\/\/policy-practice.oxfam.org\/resources\/smashing-spatial-patriarchy-shifting-gender-based-norms-driving-sexual-and-gend-620845\/"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Park S. Kim S. H. (2023). A systematic review and meta-analysis of bystander intervention programs for intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Psychology of Violence 13(2) 93\u2013106. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/vio0000456","DOI":"10.1037\/vio0000456"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rentschler C. A. (2017). Bystander intervention feminist hashtag activism and the anti-carceral politics of care. Feminist Media Studies 17(4) 565\u2013584. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/14680777.2017.1326556","DOI":"10.1080\/14680777.2017.1326556"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"S\u00e1nchez-Prada A. Delgado-Alvarez C. Bosch-Fiol E. Ferreiro-Basurto V. Ferrer-Perez V. A. (2022). Bystanders of intimate partner violence against women and their willingness to intervene: An analysis of secondary data in Spain (2005-2020). PLoS One 17(9) Article e0274822. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0274822","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0274822"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sardinha L. Maheu-Giroux M. St\u00f6ckl H. Meyer S. R. Garc\u00eda-Moreno C. (2022). Global regional and national prevalence estimates of physical or sexual or both intimate partner violence against women in 2018. Lancet 399(10327) 803\u2013813. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0140-6736(21)02664-7","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(21)02664-7"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_35_1","unstructured":"United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime & United Nations Women. (2022). Gender-related killings of women and girls (femicide\/feminicide). https:\/\/www.unwomen.org\/en\/digital-library\/publications\/2022\/11\/gender-related-killings-of-women-and-girls-improving-data-to-improve-responses-to-femicide-feminicide"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_36_1","unstructured":"United Nations Women. (n.d.). Frequently asked questions: Types of violence against women and girls. https:\/\/www.unwomen.org\/en\/what-we-do\/ending-violence-against-women\/faqs\/types-of-violence"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"V\u00e1zquez-Gonz\u00e1lez L. I. Bosch-Fiol E. S\u00e1nchez-Prada A. Ferreiro-Basurto V. Delgado-\u00c1lvarez C. Ferrer-P\u00e9rez V. A. (2023). Bystander behavior in violence against women in Spain: A scoping review. Aggression and Violent Behavior 72 Article 101861. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.avb.2023.101861","DOI":"10.1016\/j.avb.2023.101861"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Villalonga-Arag\u00f3n M. Mart\u00ed-Vilar M. Merino-Soto C. Tantalean-Terrones L. (2023). A scoping review of educational interventions to increase prosociality against gender-based violence in university bystanders. Social Sciences 12(7) 406. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/socsci12070406","DOI":"10.3390\/socsci12070406"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_39_1","unstructured":"Ward J. (2022). Learning brief: Risks and opportunities for adopting \u201cbystander intervention\u201d approaches to discourage prevent or interrupt gender-based violence in humanitarian settings. United Nations Population Fund: Gender-based area of responsibility. https:\/\/gbvaor.net\/node\/1660"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wijaya C. N. Roberts L. D. Kane R. T. (2022). Attribution theory bystander effect and willingness to intervene in intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 37 NP12453\u2013NP12474. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0886260521997945","DOI":"10.1177\/0886260521997945"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_41_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates 2018: Global regional and national prevalence estimates for intimate partner violence against women and global and regional prevalence estimates for non-partner sexual violence against women. https:\/\/www.who.int\/publications\/i\/item\/9789240022256"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_42_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yount K. M. Bergenfeld I. Anderson K. M. Trang Q. T. Sales J. M. Cheong Y. F. Minh T. H. (2022). Theoretical mediators of GlobalConsent: An adapted web-based sexual violence prevention program for university men in Vietnam. Social Science & Medicine 313 Article 115402. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.socscimed.2022.115402","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2022.115402"},{"key":"e_1_3_4_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yount K. M. Cheong Y. F. Bergenfeld I. Trang Q. T. Sales J. M. Li Y. Minh T. H. (2023). Impacts of GlobalConsent a web-based social norms edutainment program on sexually violent behavior and bystander behavior among university men in Vietnam: Randomized controlled trial. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance 9 Article e35116. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2196\/35116","DOI":"10.2196\/35116"}],"container-title":["Trauma, Violence, &amp; Abuse"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/15248380261476071","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/15248380261476071","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/15248380261476071","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,24]],"date-time":"2026-09-24T16:21:13Z","timestamp":1790266873000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/15248380261476071"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,21]]},"references-count":42,"alternative-id":["10.1177\/15248380261476071"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/15248380261476071","relation":{},"ISSN":["1524-8380","1552-8324"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1524-8380","type":"print"},{"value":"1552-8324","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,21]]},"article-number":"15248380261476071"}}