The 5 Ds

Witness harassment? You have options.

The 5 Ds offer practical ways to support someone experiencing sexism or harassment: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay and Direct.

Choose an approach that fits the situation, prioritising your safety and theirs. These are options, not steps to follow in order. Supporting someone afterwards can also make a difference.

The image shows a circular diagram with the words: Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct, arranged in a clockwise manner.

1. Distract

Interrupt what is happening.

Talk to the targeted person.  Pretend you know them, and ask for the time, or directions.

Do not talk to the perpetrator. Engage directly with the person being harassed.

Don’t refer to the harassment that’s happening. Talk about something completely different.

This image shows two women smiling joyfully. One hugs the other from behind. Both wear hoop earrings and casual clothes.

2. Delegate

Ask someone for help.

Someone in a position of authority for example, a teacher, lecturer, bus or train driver, security guard, or manager.

Find a delegate who is ready and willing to help.

Be clear when you delegate. Tell people precisely what you are witnessing and what you are expecting  of them.

Illustration of a woman and a man in business attire facing each other.

3. Document

Record what is happening.

This is to help the person being targeted if they want to report what happened.

Only try to document if someone else is already helping the person being targeted. If they’re not, then try one of the other D’s first.

Check with the person being targeted if they would like you to document what is happening. If they say  ‘no’, don’t do it.

Never post or use without the permission of the person being targeted.

The image shows a woman with her mouth taped, wearing purple, with the words "#MeToo" in bold purple text.

4. Delay

Check with the person who was targeted and offer to help.

“Are you okay?”

Check in. Offer to help. Share resources if you can.

The image shows two women, one with red hair and freckles, and the other with dark skin, hugging affectionately.

5. Direct

Respond directly to what is happening.

Call out a perpetrator, naming what is happening or saying that it’s not okay.

Direct intervention can be risky. The perpetrator’s actions could get worse or they could also turn on you or others.

Be brief and accurate. Do not exaggerate.  

Speak calmly and politely. Avoid arguing.

The image shows one older women in a purple blazer with glasses.

The 5 Ds approach was developed by Right To Be, formerly Hollaback!, building on Green Dot’s bystander intervention work.

Build your confidence to act

Practise these approaches through realistic scenarios and supportive discussion in our CPD-accredited bystander training.

Join a free public session or bring our training to your organisation.

Training for your organisation
Join free public training