Ending sexual violence, supporting survivors and promoting consent

Worldwide, research has indicated that sexual harassment, sexual assault, non-consensual sexual experiences, bullying and racism are a feature of university campus life, as they are in wider society.

European/national context

In 2018, the European Union funded project, Ending Sexual Harassment and Violence in Third Level Education (ESHTE project), brought together 15 higher education institutes from across Europe to tackle the issue sexual harassment and violence on campus. In Ireland, these institutions worked with the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI), An Garda Síochána, sexual violence services, student bodies and Government departments on this initiative. The ESHTE project developed an 'It Stops Now' toolkit and campaign which was launched in March 2019 for use by higher education institutes – this project was completed in summer 2020.

On 5 April 2019, the Department of Education and Skills (DES) launched the Framework for Consent in HEIs (Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive: Ending Sexual Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions). Institutions are required to report under the Framework in February 2021, and include a specific institutional action plan on tackling sexual violence and harassment. This initiative is being led by the National Women’s Council of Ireland, in association with the Higher Education Authority (HEA)’s Centre for Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

RCSI context

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 the same year, RCSI students also established their own ongoing committee with a focus on sexual health – Sexual Education, Consent, Safety and Empowerment (SECSE). The committee organised a range of events and awareness raising campaigns and were instrumental in organising free condom dispensers in the bathrooms on campus.

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 DES reporting requirements. Professor Hannah McGee is SMT Champion and the Forum is co-chaired by Liz Hughes, Head of EDI and Dr Caroline Kelleher, Lecturer with the Department of Psychology, and coordinated by by Míde Power, EDI Unit. The Forum currently has 25 staff members and 10 student members. 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. Membership is for a two year duration and is due to be reconstituted in January 2023. 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 Department of Education and Skills (DES) Framework for consent in HEIs which was published in 2019.

The RCSI Action Plan was published in March 2021 and is available below.