Hate Crimes and Prosocial Bystanders - Resources

As you have likely heard, a white man recently killed eight people including six Asian women in the Atlanta area. At Soteria Solutions, our hearts are with the families of these victims and with all Asian/America and Pacific Islander (AAPI) people who have faced both a long history of discrimination in the U.S. and escalating harassment during COVID-19.

Prosocial Bystanders

As prosocial bystanders seeking an end to sexual and relationship violence and stalking, we know ending violence requires ending oppression and recognizing what is happening. This hate crime and mass murder occurs at the intersections of histories of anti-AAPI oppression and sinophobia, misogynistic and white supremacist violence, xenophobia, and glorification of violence against sex workers. Bringing in the Bystander encourages prosocial bystanders to intervene before, during, and after violence occurs. In the aftermath of this mass murder, we wanted to share the following resources that we are using to sharpen our knowledge and skills as pro-social bystanders to anti-AAPI violence:

  • Read the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Program's statement on violence targeted at Asian American Women and Communities here. 

  • Read more about the recent rise in anti-AAPI hate crimes during COVID-19 here. 

  • Learn more about and support/amplify the work of Stop AAPI Hate and Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta. 

  • Review and share this list of Anti-Asian Violence Resources.

  • Attend a free bystander intervention training from Hollaback! and Asian Americans Advancing Justice on preventing anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment. More details here.

  • Explore these anti-racism resources to support AAPI communities. 

  • Check out the Self Evident podcast to hear Asian American stories here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

  • Consider using some of the new scenarios we developed for use during COVID-19 that include intersections of sexual and relationship violence with heightened oppression of and violence against minoritized people, including AAPI people. 

We would love to hear what you are doing on your campuses and in your communities to talk about what happened and what is happening. We are grateful for the solidarity in this community and the work that all of you do to end violence and support survivors. 

All the best, 

LB Klein on behalf of the Soteria Solutions Team

Jennifer Scrafford