How to Intervene in a Fight

On your way to class, after lunch, you round the corner and see two boys swinging fists at each other. What do you do? Here is some advice from Chuck Hibbert, Chief of School Security in Indianapolis, Indiana

  1. Your first priority is to avoid getting hurt!

    2. You need help. So, tell a student (hopefully, you will know one of them by name!) to go to the office for help. Say: "Pat, go tell a principal there is a fight outside Room 233. Right now!"

  2. Next you want to disband the crowd.

    3. If you can identify students, use their names and tell them to leave. Tell them where to go. Say: "Michael, Shawn, Tara, go to your next class! Tracy, Kyle, Kelly, go back to your lockers!" Make eye contact and say your directives in a strong, loud voice. Avoid screaming.

  3. Now that the crowd is leaving and help is on its way, you can deal with the fighters.

    4. In most cases after about 30 seconds, a dominant person emerges. Talk to the other person, use his or her name and a loud voice. Say: "Chris! Stop it! Move back! That's enough!" Remember, you do not want to get yourself hurt, so keep a distance. If your voice does not reach them, try a loud noise like clapping your hands.

This document was last updated 6/30/97 by Chandra Hawley.
Copyright1996 Indiana University - Center for Adolescent Studies, all rights reserved.
Kris Bosworth - Director