Measuring Bystander Attitudes and Behavior to Prevent Sexual Violence

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to further investigate the factor structure and strength of the Bystander Attitude Scale—Revised and Bystander Behavior Scale—Revised (BAS-R and BBS-R). Participants: First-year students (N = 4,054) at a large public university in the Northeast completed a survey in 2010 as part of a larger longitudinal study of a sexual violence bystander education intervention program on campus. Methods: Exploratory structural equation modeling was used to analyze survey responses to the BAS-R and BBS-R. Results: For BAS-R, the best fit was a 4-factor model: (1) high-risk situations, (2) postassault support for victims, (3) postassault reporting of perpetrators, and (4) proactive opportunities. BBS-R was a 2-factor model: (1) intervention opportunities before, during, or after an assault, and (2) proactive opportunities. Conclusion: The BAS-R and BBS-R provide reliable tools that can be utilized to evaluate sexual violence bystander programs.