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Behavioral Sciences
Volume 16
Issue 2
10.3390/bs16020209
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Article

Bystanders’ Intention to Intervene in a Street Harassment Scenario: The Effects of Personal and Situational Factors

by
Leila I. Vázquez-González
1,*,
Ainara Nardi-Rodríguez
2,
Andrés Sánchez-Prada
3,
Carmen Delgado-Álvarez
3,
Virginia Ferreiro-Basurto
1 and
Victoria A. Ferrer-Pérez
1
1
Faculty of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma, Spain
2
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health, Miguel Hernández University, 03202 Elche, Spain
3
Faculty of Psychology, Pontifical University of Salamanca, 37002 Salamanca, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16020209 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 18 November 2025 / Revised: 27 January 2026 / Accepted: 28 January 2026 / Published: 31 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual Violence Against Women Across Contexts: Prevention, Education, and Intervention)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Street harassment is a common form of gender-based violence against women. Bystanders are sometimes present when this violence occurs, yet there is limited literature on the factors influencing their decision to intervene. We conducted two cross-sectional studies to further explore this subject. Study 1 analyzes how personal variables (gender and political opinion), and situational variables (bystander effect and type of violence) influence the intention to respond. This study included an opportunity sample of 1563 people (79.4% women and 20.6% men) that filled out a sociodemographic data sheet, the Social Desirability Scale (SDC), and the Questionnaire of Intention to Help in VAW Cases (QIHVC). The results suggest that programs targeting women should focus on diminishing feelings of fear, while those aimed at men should stress fostering empathy toward victims. Study 2 explores correlates of bystander response intentions. This study involved an opportunity sample of 785 people (80.3% women and 19.7% men), completing the same instruments as in Study 1 and adding the Global Belief in a Just World Scale (GBJWS) and the Questionnaire on attitudes towards “piropos” (AP). The results suggest that feeling responsible may influence whether bystanders choose to intervene. These insights could be used to develop more effective training program frameworks.
Keywords: street harassment; witness; sexual violence; bystander effect street harassment; witness; sexual violence; bystander effect

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MDPI and ACS Style

Vázquez-González, L.I.; Nardi-Rodríguez, A.; Sánchez-Prada, A.; Delgado-Álvarez, C.; Ferreiro-Basurto, V.; Ferrer-Pérez, V.A. Bystanders’ Intention to Intervene in a Street Harassment Scenario: The Effects of Personal and Situational Factors. Behav. Sci. 2026, 16, 209. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16020209

AMA Style

Vázquez-González LI, Nardi-Rodríguez A, Sánchez-Prada A, Delgado-Álvarez C, Ferreiro-Basurto V, Ferrer-Pérez VA. Bystanders’ Intention to Intervene in a Street Harassment Scenario: The Effects of Personal and Situational Factors. Behavioral Sciences. 2026; 16(2):209. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16020209

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vázquez-González, Leila I., Ainara Nardi-Rodríguez, Andrés Sánchez-Prada, Carmen Delgado-Álvarez, Virginia Ferreiro-Basurto, and Victoria A. Ferrer-Pérez. 2026. "Bystanders’ Intention to Intervene in a Street Harassment Scenario: The Effects of Personal and Situational Factors" Behavioral Sciences 16, no. 2: 209. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16020209

APA Style

Vázquez-González, L. I., Nardi-Rodríguez, A., Sánchez-Prada, A., Delgado-Álvarez, C., Ferreiro-Basurto, V., & Ferrer-Pérez, V. A. (2026). Bystanders’ Intention to Intervene in a Street Harassment Scenario: The Effects of Personal and Situational Factors. Behavioral Sciences, 16(2), 209. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16020209

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