But stepping in and stopping sexual assault before it happens or gets worse is one way to fight rape culture. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s guide to sexual assault prevention, the bystander intervention approach is positive because it discourages victim blaming, offers us the chance to change social norms, and shifts responsibility to bystanders as agents of change. Ultimately, the approach empowers and teaches others to recognize unhealthy and problematic behaviors and to know how to intervene before abuse or assault can happen, according to NSVRC.

“Research reports that bystanders are present in about 30% of rapes, threats of rape or unwanted sexual contact, and yet most people don’t know how to intervene,” Ella Fairon told Teen Vogue. “We have created all the aspects of #BAEcode so that there will be no question of how you can help. Online or in person, using humor or distraction, snapchat or a GIF, everyone will have the tools to become a BAE*stander and save someone’s life today.”

BAE code aims to teach and empower people to prevent sexual harassment and assault in their own peer groups, and how to look out for friends, family, or even strangers. Below, a short step-by-step bystander intervention guide.

Notice that something is going on

Unless you’re paying very close attention to people’s interactions, it can be hard to tell if someone is making another person uncomfortable. However, in any social interaction, you can look for unwanted touching and listen for degrading language or obvious threats. You can also notice verbal cues and language, demeaning words, slurs, or even tone of voice. When in doubt, ask a trusted person so you can check if they’re witnessing the same thing.

Interpret the situation as a problem

Once you’ve interpreted the situation as a problem, you can figure out which way you would like to intervene. You don’t have to be aggressive or do anything that makes you uncomfortable. You can pull up a funny .gif on your phone, a video, or a text to show your friend or the person who you’ve determined is in trouble.

Take personal responsibility to intervene

After you’ve determined that you want to intervene, you can figure out how you feel most comfortable taking responsibility. But before you do step in, make sure you have a plan of action. Choose a method of intervention first.

Determine how you will help

There are four ways to intervene: distract, delegate, direct, or delay.

If you choose to distract, you can pull up a .gif or something on your phone that will change the conversation or situation and create a temporary distraction. This is a simple way to de-escalate the situation without causing unwanted attention, embarrassment, or making anyone feel more uncomfortable. You could also ask someone a question like, “My phone is dead, can I borrow yours?” or say, “Hey I want to go take a selfie outside, come with me!”

If you aren’t comfortable with being the person who intervenes, you can delegate the intervention to someone else you trust to help you de-escalate the situation.

Or if you’d rather be direct and you feel comfortable putting your foot down, you can tell someone that what they’re doing is not okay, and more forcibly remove the person in danger from the situation. This route is not possible for everyone. That’s why it’s important to make sure that it’s safe to address the situation more directly and call out the person who is being abusive before you choose this method.

The last way to intervene is to delay. This is a way to check in with the person you think might be in danger, and temporarily pull them out of that situation. This also allows you to find them help or speak with them, and figure out more long term and concrete plan to help them stay safe. You can interrupt the conversation and make eye contact with them, ask to pull them away momentarily, or even delay by getting someone else to distract the person who was acting abusive or harassing someone.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can seek help by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). For more resources on sexual assault, visit RAINN, End Rape on Campus, Know Your IX, and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

Related: Sexual Pleasure Must Be Included in #MeToo Conversations