Consent classes were launched earlier this month by CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Ellen O’Malley Dunlop. The numbers in the class were small with around 20 people, all of whom were female. Graduate Officer and Vice-President Hazel Beattie claimed that feedback for the classes was all positive and that the “only negative was that they were gender specific which I expected.”
O’Malley Dunlop spoke about the issue of consent claiming that it’s “never too late” for people to learn more about it. She also explained that the centre is involved in attempts to get a legal definition of consent. In UCD this year the #NotAskingForIt campaign sought to change the university’s policy on sexual assault and harassment on campus.
The consent classes are part of the campaign, which was launched earlier this year by author Louise O’Neill. A sexual assault survey is also set to be launched this week across campus. Beattie explained that “the survey asks participants to read and respond to some brief scenarios that describe sexual encounters; rate their agreement with questions/statements about attitudes and beliefs concerning consent; self-report on experiences of harassment (this section is very short and as uninvasive as it can be) and state their preferences for student supports on the area of sexual health and well-being.”
The survey was announced in September 2015, along with posters which showcase anonymous stories “where consent was assumed rather than asked.” Both are now scheduled to be unveiled in the second half of the second semester.
Campaigns and Communications officer, Cian Byrne explained that the posters will be displayed in areas around campus, but with a warning about the content which he stated could be upsetting to some people.
Further consent workshops are set to be held later this year in week 11 with mixed gender groups. The University Management Team were invited to take part in their organisation before mandatory consent classes are set to be held later this year.
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