Exploring Bystander Interventions and Safety in Community Settings to Address Gender-Based Violence in Lower- and...

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'Malley, 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.