Witnesses to racism have a moral duty to intervene, but should do so safely and wisely, experts have cautioned.

Last week, a brave bystander was physically assaulted for defending three Muslim women who were being racially abused on a Melbourne train.

The abusers, two tradesmen, turned their attack on good samaritan Jason Cias, 36, who was punched once to the face.

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In such a situation, we all have a responsibility to look out for our fellow citizens, a racism researcher told The New Daily.

Another bystander, Stacey Eden, felt this same desire to step in. Back in April, she filmed herself verbally admonishing an older female for her tirade against a Muslim couple. The footage was widely published online.

In this and every case, we ought to respond “in an appropriate and safe way”, University of Western Sydney’s Professor Kevin Dunn said.

Confronting a “very scary person” is dangerous, said Professor Dunn, but thankfully there are other, wiser reactions.

“There are lots of ways to take pro-social action that don’t necessarily place us in harm’s way.”

Pull out your phone

This week’s train clash, and other recent incidents of racism across the nation, have gathered widespread coverage because of smartphone footage.

This method of evidence gathering, and potential deterrence, was supported by Professor Dunn, and has been advocated by state health body VicHealth.

But filming the incident will not change the abuser’s mind, an educator told The New Daily.

“It sells, but it doesn’t make change,” said Together for Humanity Foundation state director Ronit Baras, who teaches racial integration to school children.

“The fact that it goes viral is really good. It brings it to people’s attention. It creates awareness. In terms of the person himself doing the act, it won’t change what he did.”

Support the victim, ignore the bully

Rather than standing up to the abuser, stand by the subject of their rant.

“Go to the victims, say something that rejects the abuse and help them stay away from the abuser,” Ms Baras said.

“Sometimes just standing next to them, physically, can do the job.”

Ignoring the abuser robs them of an audience, she said.

“If you do not want to support something, ignore it. Do not become an audience. For the attack means nothing at all if you do not have an audience.”

Make your shout a whisper

While standing by or shielding the victim, quietly say something like:

• “Just ignore him.”
• “He’s probably not in his right mind.”
• “I’m sorry you have to witness something like this.”

These were the suggestions of Ms Baras, who has researched the integration of Jewish and Palestinian students.

“Give them the feeling they are not alone,” she said.

Tell the police

Reporting an incident can prevent it happening again.

The federal government’s ‘Racism It Stops With Me’ campaign has recommended contacting the authorities by calling 000.

Fight the fear

Beyond these adrenaline-fuelled incidents, the cure to racism is not confrontation, but integration, Ms Baras said.

Abusers are afraid, and should be countered with patient understanding.

“Someone who attacks someone else, even verbally, is afraid. I don’t see any other reason,” she said.

“Getting closer to people is the only way to overcome fear.

“We have to aim for integration. We have to aim for meeting each other, and finding out that underneath this veil, underneath the skin and what we wear, we are just people. All of us are exactly the same.”

More information can be found on the Racism It Stops With Me website.