Everyone is being encouraged to take sexual violence seriously this summer, and intervene to stop it.

Tairawhiti District Health is running workshops for staff at Rhythm and Vines, training them how to spot unsafe situations, and step in before it gets any worse.

Sexual health advisor Terri Te Kani says any bystander can help, and it doesn't have to cause a scene.

She says you don't need to be aggressive about it, just focus on getting the potential victim out of the situation, even by distracting others.