https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/155111 2026-04-12T09:25:42Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/158070 The Importance of Bystanders in Threat Assessment and Management Borum, Randy; Rowe, Mary Bystanders—those who observe or come to know about potential wrongdoing—are often the best source of pre-attack intelligence, including indicators of intent and “warning” behaviors. They are the reason that some planned attacks are foiled before they occur. Numerous studies of targeted violence (e.g., mass shootings and school shootings), have demonstrated that peers and bystanders often have knowledge of an attacker’s intentions, concerning communication, and troubling behavior before the attack occurs. This chapter describes—with empirical support—why threat assessment professionals should consider bystanders; outlines a model for understanding bystander decision making; reviews common barriers to bystander reporting; and suggests ways to mitigate those barriers, to engage bystanders at an individual level, and to improve reporting. The principal aim of threat assessment is to prevent (primarily) intentional acts of harm. When tragic incidents of planned violence occur, however, it is almost always uncovered “that someone knew something” about the attack before it happened. This happens because, as attack plans unfold, people in several different roles may know, or come to know, something about what is happening before harm occurs. The perpetrators know, and so may others, including targets, family members, friends, co-workers, or even casual observers. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/157464 A Framework For Communicating How Organizational Ombuds Help to Manage Risk Rowe, Mary; Hedeen, Timothy; Schneider, Jennifer Note: Among other things, this article examines the importance of the International Ombudsman Association Standards of Practice in helping all constituents manage risks. 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/156722 Concerns about Bullying at Work As Heard by Organizational Ombudsmen Cummings, Lydia; Rowe, Mary 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/156707 The Several Purposes of the OO Crystal Ball Rowe, Mary The Crystal Ball began, in 1984, as a device to help Organizational Ombudsmen (OOs) to anticipate problems that are new to their organizations. This came about by collecting wisdom from many OOs about “new things.” Each OO may collect bits of new information from a whole organization—the Crystal Ball then pulls these ideas together. Over the years the Crystal Ball has proven useful in helping OOs in the important OO task of seeking, identifying, assessing and communicating issues new to their organizations. Crystal Ball discussions have in turn helped OOs to think about how to help their organizations to learn about and manage emerging issues, how to foster and collaborate on systems initiatives when appropriate—and how to follow up. The issues enumerated in this article have included many of the serious problems of our times. The Crystal Ball illuminates one important source of organizational ombudsman effectiveness. Note: This article shows that ombuds can help identify and assess issues new to the organization. 2010-10-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/156399 Requests for Personal Work May Pose a Conflict of Interest Rowe, Mary 2003-02-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/156359 Dealing with the Fear of Violence: What an Organizational Ombudsman Might Want to Know Rowe, Mary P.; Wilcox, Linda J. 2000-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/156252 Conflicts of Interest Arising From Personal Relationships Rowe, Mary 1997-09-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/155759 Harassment at MIT: Think Prevention Rowe, Mary 1989-10-01T00:00:00Z