Standing up for someone does not have to mean confronting the situation directly. Safety should always come first, and there are many ways to help that do not put your child at risk.
Helpful actions can include changing the subject to interrupt what’s happening, sitting with or staying near the person being targeted, checking in privately afterward, or naming that something is not okay if it feels safe to do so. Sometimes the best option is getting help from a trusted adult or school staff member, or keeping a record of what happened if it may need to be shared later.
Even small, quiet actions can make a meaningful difference and help someone feel less alone. You can remind your child, “You don’t have to be a hero. Helping can be subtle and still really matter.”