Police from Armagh Neighbourhood Policing team attended a training session on active bystander intervention at the SRC campus in Armagh on February 19. The event took place in the campus building on Lonsdale Road and started just after 10am.

Raise Your Voice facilitators Sarah Stack and Evie Gilbert led the session for about 60 students from disciplines including hairdressing, barbering and performing arts. Members of the Policing and Community Safety Partnership, Annette Blaney and Lynette Cooke, introduced the facilitators.

Sarah Stack told participants that sexual harassment has become accepted in society and outlined ways to address such attitudes. She noted that 78% of sexual crimes target women and girls.

Students viewed a video from the Irish Department of Justice showing scenarios of sexual harassment. They took part in a workshop on intervening as active bystanders and shared observations on consent, environments, body language and objections in the scenarios.

Stack asked about impacts on victims in the video. Students identified trauma, economic effects, reduced self-esteem and lower confidence.

Facilitators presented a pyramid model linking tolerance of minor behaviours like catcalling and objectification to escalation toward severe acts. They stressed safe intervention by bystanders.

Evie Gilbert described bystander intervention as stepping in when witnessing an incident without direct involvement. The facilitators explained a 5D strategy including options like documentation.

Constable Matthews from Armagh Neighbourhood Policing team highlighted documentation and evidence gathering. She said the pyramid model helps challenge norms of misogyny and hate crime, and the training provides practical skills for empowerment.