Bringing in the Bystander® – Military Edition: Strengthening Unit Cohesion Through Values-Driven Prevention
Our Newest Solution:
Military readiness isn’t just about physical preparedness—it’s about trust, teamwork, and respect. One of the greatest strengths of the military community is its sense of unity, but that cohesion can be compromised when service members experience or witness sexual harassment, misconduct, or violence without knowing how to intervene. Our newest offering, Bringing in the Bystander® (BITB) – Military Edition, is designed to empower service members with the skills to support and protect their fellow soldiers and others in their community. This research-based, action-oriented training reinforces core military values while equipping personnel with the tools and skills to identify and safely intervene and prevent sexual and relationship violence before, during, and after incidents occur and/or escalate. This evidence-based prevention program is based on the concept that all community members have a role to play in ending sexual harassment and relationship violence. The important role that a bystander has in prevention is the basis for this unique and effective program.
The Need for Bystander Intervention Training in the Military
Sexual harassment and sexual assault remain persistent challenges within the military, affecting unit cohesion, mission readiness, and overall morale. While policies and reporting mechanisms exist, true prevention requires proactive engagement at every level of service. Bringing in the Bystander® (BITB) – Military Edition fills a critical gap by providing:
Proactive Prevention Strategies – Rather than focusing solely on response after harm has occurred, BITB teaches service members to recognize and safely intervene even in early warning signs. Prevention at this stage helps stop harmful behaviors before they escalate.
Practical, Scenario-Based Learning – Many trainings rely on passive learning or policy briefings. BITB takes a different approach by incorporating scenario-based exercises. These exercises are not role-playing but rather guided scenario discussions that allow participants to explore multiple intervention options in a controlled environment. This approach ensures participants leave with a practical understanding of how to apply bystander intervention strategies in real-world situations, reinforcing confidence and preparedness.
An Environment of Shared Responsibility – BITB reinforces the idea that every member of the unit has a role to play in upholding military values and protecting one another, fostering accountability and a collective commitment to safety.
Training That Aligns with Military Values
Bringing in the Bystander® (BITB) – Military Edition isn’t just another training—it’s a mission-driven approach that encompasses military core values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. These values are the foundation of military culture, and BITB builds upon them by teaching service members how to recognize and safely intervene as prosocial bystander in situations that could lead to sexual violence, harassment, or misconduct.
By fostering proactive bystanders and accountability, BITB helps ensure that military teams remain mission-ready and cohesive, even in the face of evolving challenges.
Ease of Implementation & Lasting Impact
Bringing in the Bystander® (BITB) – Military Edition was designed with military training structures in mind, making it adaptable to various formats, including in-person and virtual training sessions. The program is:
Flexible – Can be delivered as a stand-alone training or integrated into existing leadership development and prevention programs.
Scalable – Suitable for all ranks and roles, ensuring that intervention is a shared responsibility at every level of service.
Sustainable – Provides service members with lifelong skills that reinforce positive change beyond the training itself.
Additionally, BITB fosters long-term impact by shifting the conversation around prevention from compliance-based to values-driven, empowering military personnel to lead by example in fostering safety and respect.
A Proactive Approach to Prevention
Even as the policy landscape shifts, the need for practical, evidence-based strategies to prevent harm and support service members remains critical. BITB – Military Edition provides a values-driven framework that ensures service members are equipped to take action when it matters most.
Bringing in the Bystander® (BITB) – Military Edition is about reinforcing leadership, camaraderie, and the well-being of service members. The military has long recognized that cohesion and trust are essential to operational effectiveness, and BITB provides the tools to strengthen those elements in a way that aligns with the existing structure of military values.
Now more than ever, it’s essential to continue investing in prevention efforts that support an environment of accountability and respect within the armed forces. At Soteria Solutions, we remain committed to delivering high-impact training that prioritizes military readiness, safety, and leadership.
Click to learn how BITB – Military Edition can support your unit:
If you would like to learn more about Soteria Solutions’ innovative approach that engages all community members, please contact us here. We welcome the opportunity to reach across differences, experiences, and identities to create safer, compassionate, and powerfully connected communities that are committed to the wellness and wholeness of each individual.
About Soteria Solutions
Soteria Solutions works with organizations, including higher education, government agencies and businesses, to achieve sustainable change by creating and maintaining safe and respectful learning, working and living environments void of incivility, harassment, violence and discrimination. Our evidence-based, customized solutions including our flagship program, Bringing in the Bystander®, are proven to be the most effective strategies to prevent and react to risky behaviors based on decades of bystander intervention research. Soteria Solutions has worked with more than 600 workplaces, colleges and high schools to activate bystanders and improve organizational frameworks to make integral, strategic advances. Soteria Solutions is located in Durham, New Hampshire.