The mission of Training Active Bystanders is to weave the language and process of creative problem-solving into the fabric of the community by training active bystanders and teaching conflict resolution skills, and by implementing other forms of innovative dispute resolution. — Training Active Bystanders organizational mission statement

We’ve all been there — once, if not more — and, for some, almost daily. Hurt, harm, harassment, abuse, and verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual violence have all been perpetrated against innocent victims, whose only wrongdoing may have been to simply be born “different.” We are living in an expedited cycle of perpetual negativity that blames and shames many individuals for their mere presence and existence. More and more, our federal government seems to be turning an already-shut eye and closed-off ears to acknowledging the pain and suffering that is on the upturn everywhere.

Official bureaucracies and politics seem downright hamstrung if not fully divided and paralyzed about how to help, heal, and recover individuals who have been traumatized through harmful life experience. However, there is one local nonprofit, service-based, community-focused organization that exists to remediate if not eliminate the perpetuation of violence.

Since 2007, Training Active Bystanders, a program developed by Quabbin Mediation, has been offering training, workshops, programs, and services in local communities across the United States. TAB, as it is known, is in a significant growth and expansion phase and wants people everywhere to become aware of its existence while taking advantage of free or low-cost training opportunities.

Using non-labeling, non-stereotypic terms such as “target,” “harm-doer,” and “bystander,” TAB asks people to think long and hard about the damage done by others seeking to maintain whatever advantages they can based on power and control dynamics that are so set in our society. Rather than continue to passively exist with culturally inbuilt forms of institutional racism, oppression, and socioeconomic class division, TAB provides a way through. Its vision and mission are to support local communities everywhere to take stock in the power of people — residents, citizens, workers, young people — to neutralize the violence one sees or experiences every day.

Much like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, we all have power within us to voice our concerns and our alarms, in order to interrupt the stream of hurtful behaviors that occur. It is well within most of us to want to interrupt violence — but there is the chilling quality of fear and intimidation when we feel endangered that often shuts us down from using our agency to minimize and stop the harm-doing.

Over time, TAB has evolved three different curricula to train groups of people to learn how to become active instead of passive or even nonexistent bystanders. There is a youth curriculum, an athletic curriculum, and a community-based curriculum. Each is customizable for any given population of participants and volunteers. All have similar basic terminology and perspective. The goal of all of TAB’s training programs is to help individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities to come together and use common language and common-sense and safe methodologies to deter harm-doing while minimizing its impact.

Over time, Quabbin Mediation, first based in a tiny office in Orange, established small pockets of opportunity and safety to engage in building a nonviolent methodology aimed at warding off all forms of violence while keeping the active bystanders (interrupters) safe. TAB’s approach empowers bystanders and gives them the competencies and self-confidence they need if they decide to take action when they witness something they feel is unfair, wrong or troubling.

It enables them to analyze situations where harm may be occurring, recognize when they themselves are bystanders, evaluate the consequences for everyone involved, and interrupt harm-doing and generate positive actions by others.

These same human units and structures of organization become empowered through training, practice, and communication to network together: from many, one. TAB has developed significant partnerships, including with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, sheriff’s departments, prisons, K-12 public school systems, police departments, higher education settings and more — all in its ongoing effort to reach across political divides to support greater safety and security for one and all.

It has offered its stellar training as far afield as Alaska, North and South Carolina, California, Washington state, New York, and across all of Massachusetts. This spring and beyond, many more programs are planned for Franklin County and other environs. It is precisely the “people power” of volunteers being trained that is a difference-maker in all communities where training and support are offered.

We know that we live in an increasingly violent and bifurcated society. TAB is one avenue of thought and action that has been shown to make a significant difference to people in all communities who both fear harm and covet safety and security. For those who are interested in receiving training and more information, please reach out to trainingactivebystanders.org — we welcome you to join a training or to make a contribution in the days ahead. Your learning and support will make a difference!

Daniel Cantor Yalowitz writes a regular column in the Recorder. A developmental and intercultural psychologist, he has facilitated change in many organizations and communities around the world. His two most recent books are “Journeying with Your Archetypes” and “Reflections on the Nature of Friendship.” Reach out to him at danielcyalowitz@gmail.com.