Change the story

• You will need to print off the comic strip template sheet, with enough for each participant
• Coloured pens
• Black pens

Revise what you have already learned about the role of an active bystander and the STEPS they can take:

S tep Up – Take action and say something
T ell an adult – Get help from a trusted adult
E xplain it - Take a note of what happened
P ull attention away – Distract the person from the situation
S upport Later – Offer help or check in after the
situation

Give out the comic strip template. Working in pairs or individually, write or draw a story of someone in a risk taking scenario. They will make up their own active bystander situation that shows what they would do. Here are some ideas to get everyone started:

• A friend tells you they are worried about someone that wants to meet them for a fight and they plan to go, but take a knife.
• You are sitting next to a group of people on the bus and you hear them talking about having knives in their school bags.
• Your wee sister is being bullied by a gang of girls and hands you a knife asking you to go and scare them away with a knife so that they don't bother her any more.
• You owe someone money and they say that if you don't have it all they will slash you. You've only managed to get some of the money together and you know that they will be there soon.

Sum up by acknowledging that the best policy is to avoid these situations as best you can. But if you find yourself in a tricky spot, there are always ways you can help a friend. End by reiterating the STEPS to being an active bystander.