Ending sexual violence, supporting survivors and promoting consent

RCSI is working to end sexual violence, support survivors of sexual violence and promote consent (ESP). The following actions have been undertaken in the last three years:

ESP Forum

In 2018, an RCSI working group was established to develop a framework and policy aimed at ending sexual violence and misconduct. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) served as an external advisor to this group.

In January 2021, a dedicated ESP Consent Forum for staff and students was launched. The Forum is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the Consent Framework at RCSI. It seeks to ensure RCSI effectively supports all staff and students and fulfils reporting requirements. The DRCC were retained as an external partner to the Forum. DRCC’s Awareness and Disclosure Training is annually offered to students and staff.

The Forum meets three times a year and will continue working towards the implementation of RCSI’s Consent Framework. If you are interested in learning more about the forum’s work or getting involved, please contact equality@rcsi.com.

RCSI is also a member of National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) National Advisory Committee aimed at ending sexual violence and harassment.

Framework and action plan

The RCSI Ending Sexual Violence and Promoting Consent Framework and Action Plan was launched in April 2018. This framework was subsequently updated and mapped to the Framework for consent in HEIs which was published in 2019.

The RCSI Action Plan was published in January 2023 and is available below.

RCSI ESP Forum: Three-year action plan summary PDF | 514.1 KB

Support and report

RCSI has established 'support and report' pathways for students and staff. Full details are set out the policy documents and guidelines below.

In 2021, RCSI joined 18 higher education institutions in launching 'Speak Out', an online and anonymous tool for students and staff to safely disclose and report any misconduct they experience.

Policy and guidelines

RCSI has developed dedicated policies and guidelines in this area including:

Sexual Misconduct Policy: Student Support and Report PDF | 977.9 KB Help for students: Finding support after an unwanted sexual incident PDF | 500.1 KB Help for staff: Receiving a disclosure of a sexual assault from a student PDF | 461 KB

Training

  • Consent training for RCSI students: All new students were asked to attend Active*Consent training as part of their induction programme. An online version of this training is also available on Moodle for all students.
  • Bystander intervention training: This training aims to support students and staff to stand up to inappropriate attitudes and behaviours including sexual misconduct, as well as others, such as racism. The RCSI Bystander Intervention programme for students and staff is now available on Moodle.
  • Disclosure training for RCSI staff: RCSI Student Welfare Officers have completed intensive support training with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC). Three HR partners have also completed a day programme with the DRCC. In September 2019, all student-facing staff completed online 'receiving a disclosure' training. This training is part of the staff induction programme and will be re-issued on a three-year re-training cycle to all staff.

Awareness raising

In September 2019 the official launch of the Safe Sexual Health programme at RCSI (#RCSIGetsSECSE) coincided with the first mandatory online consent training delivered at RCSI.