Ending sexual violence and harassment

Support and report

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

Speak Out

In 2021, RCSI joined 18 higher education institutions in launching Speak Out, an online report and support tool for the higher education sector across Ireland. Speak Out provides a platform for students, staff and visitors to safely and anonymously report incidences of misconduct including bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime, coercive behaviour or control, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape. A Speak Out report can be made by the person directly affected or on behalf of someone else. RCSI’s Speak Out tool is available here and the resource directs users to support services available through RCSI and on a national basis.

The RCSI Year 1 Report October 2021-October 2022 summarises the key findings from the data collected by the tool and is available here.

In November 2025, the Speak Out National Office published a report based on data from 16 HEIs, including RCSI, who used the Speak Out tool in the two academic years from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2024; the report is available here.

Policies and guidelines

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

Training

Prior to the establishment of the ESVH Forum and the annual delivery of Active*Consent training to all new students, RCSI held the official launch of the Safe Sexual Health programme at RCSI (#RCSIGetsSECSE) in September 2019 which coincided with introducing all incoming first year students to online consent training, Consent Matters, and the publication of the RCSI Student Sexual Misconduct Policy.

RCSI Student Welfare Officers have completed intensive support training with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC). RCSI's HR partners have also completed a day programme with the DRCC. In September 2019, all student-facing staff completed online 'receiving a disclosure' training.

In 2022, in conjunction with the launch of RCSI’s Domestic Violence and Abuse policy for staff, Women’s Aid delivered 'Recognising and Responding to Domestic Abuse in the Workplace' training for a cross-departmental group of employees. The group included employees who were involved in implementation of the policy, or in a position likely to receive disclosures from staff. A separate domestic abuse awareness event was held for all staff.

Additionally, the following trainings are offered on an ongoing basis:

• Consent training: All new students attend Active*Consent training as part of their orientation 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 racism, bullying and harassment. The RCSI Bystander Intervention programme for students and staff is now available on Moodle.
• Handling disclosures of unwanted sexual incidents training: All new RCSI employees are required to complete this online course. It gives staff an overview on appropriate responses to student disclosure of unwanted sexual incidents, and the reporting process where necessary.

Awareness raising 

Sexual health and well-being

Since 2022, the ESVH Forum delivers dedicated sexual health and well-being campaigns for students and staff every autumn. These weeks recognise World Sexual Health Day (4 September) and include both online and in-person activities sharing educational resources and facilitating interactive student and staff-led events on priority themes.

Activism against gender-based violence

Since 2024, RCSI is one of 16 universities from across Ireland which have joined forces to take a powerful stand during the annual global campaign ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence’. The 16 Days of Activism campaign runs annually from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day). It was launched in 1991 by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute as a call to prevent and eliminate gender-based violence worldwide. Now, with the backing of the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign, universities, organisations, and individuals around the globe are joining the cause.

Bystander intervention

Bystander intervention happens when someone witnesses a potentially harmful situation, such as discrimination, harassment, or violence, and chooses to take action rather than remain passive. This proactive approach helps prevent harm and promotes a culture of accountability and respect, fostering safer environments for everyone.

The 5 Ds of bystander intervention are different ways a bystander can take action:

• Direct: Directly address the situation and call out negative behaviour
• Distract: Take an indirect approach to draw attention away from the situation
• Delegate: Seek help from friends or a third party
• Document: Document the incident (e.g. take screenshots or take notes to use if making a report. Recording an incident is not always a safe approach)
• Delay: Follow up with the person affected after the incident

Remember: Only intervene if it is safe for you to do so. In an emergency call 999 or 112. To learn more, students and staff can check out the RCSI Bystander Intervention Programme on Moodle.