All universities strive to place the student experience at the heart of the university mission, ensuring that the context exists for every student to thrive, flourish, and develop to their full potential. A safe and respectful academic, extracurricular, and social environment is an essential prerequisite to achieving this objective.
Universities have been very active in recent years in the provision of Sexual Consent training, as a key initiative in ensuring a safe and respectful institutional environment. In this context, Sexual Consent is described as the freely given verbal or non-verbal communication of a feeling of willingness to engage in sexual activity.
This description entails an ongoing, mutual and preferably verbal communication, and is consistent with the definition of consent in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, as where the individual “freely and voluntarily agrees to engage in that act”.
Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment
In 2019 Dept. of Education launched a Framework Policy document for Higher Education entitled: ‘Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive – Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions’.
The IUA has devised a set of guidelines to support universities in developing and adapting their policies to ensure an effective response to reports of complaints of sexual misconduct, and is working with universities, the HEA, and other partners on an ongoing basis to assist universities in implementation of institutional action plans to end Sexual Violence and Harassment in Higher Education.
Implementation Plan 2022 – The Implementation Plan aims to enhance and support the wide array of initiatives currently underway across the sector, working towards the goals outlined in the national policy framework and the related institutional action plans. The HEA Advisory Group on Ending Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment in HEIs will maintain oversight of progress towards the delivery of the plan, in close collaboration with the HEA.
Universities have also been active in the provision of Sexual Consent training, as a key initiative in ensuring a safe and respectful institutional environment. So, whether you are a student or member of staff in an Irish university, if you or someone you know needs help or advice relating to sexual consent or wellbeing there are a number of practical and helpful resources available below.
Resources for everyone
Whether you are a student or member of staff in an Irish university, if you or someone you know needs help or advice relating to sexual consent or wellbeing there are a number of practical and helpful resources available:
— #UnmuteConsent
— ConsentHub.ie - Active Consent
— Speak Out
— IUA Guidance for Universities Consent Framework | 2020
Resources for staff
Upskilling for staff: Supporting Trauma Informed Responses to Sensitive Disclosures
In early 2024, the VPs for EDI funded the development of an eLearning programme to strengthen universities’ trauma-informed response capabilities. A team of subject matter experts was formed to lead the project.
The resulting online training provides foundational guidance on trauma-informed practice, with a dedicated focus on responding to disclosures of sexual violence and harassment. Designed to complement broader dignity and respect training, the programme aims to foster inclusive campus cultures.
It is structured into three sections:
- About Trauma– Explains trauma and its impacts.
- Trauma-Informed Practice– Outlines core principles and practical applications.
- Trauma-Informed Responses to Sexual Violence– Focuses on handling disclosures of sexual violence using trauma-informed approaches.
The programme is intended for both frontline staff who receive disclosures and ‘second line’ staff who support trauma-informed responses, such as those in HR, student services, and administration.
For more on consent supports in IUA Universities visit the links below…
Dublin City University
Maynooth University
Trinity College Dublin
University College Cork
University College Dublin
University of Galway
University of Limerick
IUA’s Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is Tony McMahon