When Silence Becomes Risk: What the Bystander Effect Teaches Us About Security Culture [Webinar]

Contributed by the Mental Health and Wellness Working Group

Most people believe they would speak up if they witnessed a problem, unsafe behavior, or a colleague in distress. Yet research consistently shows that the presence of others can make action less likely—a phenomenon known as the bystander effect.

In this interactive session, participants will explore how the bystander effect influences security culture and decision-making in the workplace. Through discussion, reflection, and practical examples, we will examine what prevents people from intervening, why silence can become a source of risk, and what individuals and leaders can do to foster environments where concerns are raised early and responsibility is shared.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Recognize how the bystander effect influences decision-making and intervention in security settings.
• Identify organizational and interpersonal factors that contribute to silence when concerns arise.
• Reflect on how security culture shapes people's willingness to speak up and take action.
• Consider practical approaches that leaders and individuals can use to foster environments where intervention and open communication are encouraged. 

Key Takeaways

• The bystander effect is not a reflection of indifference; it is a human response influenced by context, uncertainty, and the presence of others.
• Silence can become a source of risk when individuals feel unable, unwilling, or unsupported in raising concerns or intervening.
• Security culture plays a critical role in shaping whether people speak up, challenge unsafe practices, and take shared responsibility for the wellbeing of others.
• Leaders can strengthen organizational resilience by creating environments where questions are welcomed, concerns are addressed, and intervention is encouraged.
• Small acts of intervention—checking in, asking questions, escalating concerns, or challenging assumptions—can have a meaningful impact on safety and security outcomes.

Speakers*

Samantha Steenkamp-Farrell (she/her/hers)
Senior Security Specialist | Corporate Security Directorate 

Dr. Samantha Steenkamp-Farrell, PsyD, is a Senior Security Specialist with the World Bank Group, supporting security risk management across Latin America and the Caribbean. With more than 25 years of experience across the United Nations and the World Bank Group, she has led security operations, crisis management, organizational preparedness, and leadership initiatives in complex and high-risk environments.

An international speaker, Dr. Sam is known for bringing together operational security experience and psychology to explore the human side of security—how leadership, communication, organizational culture, and decision-making shape resilience and influence risk. She is passionate about helping organizations build security cultures where people feel empowered to speak up, challenge assumptions, and intervene when it matters most.

Mike Hurst CPP® CPOI
Director | HJA Consult

John Rodriguez
Partner/Principal/Founder/Owner | Empathic Security Cultures, LLC

Eric Davoine
Group Head of Physical Security and Safety | Axa

*Note: Speakers and content are subject to change without notice.

Topic: Managing Organizations, Risk Management

Credit Information: Completion of this webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.    

Translation Captioning Available: This webinar includes AI translation captioning in English, Arabic, French, and Spanish (Latin American). The translation feature is available both during the live session and for the on-demand version. You may select your preferred language in the webinar session.