# Consent
Last year
2022
Voices
Opinion: Consent matters whether you've just met or you've been together for years
Dr Caroline West says we know about ‘red flags’ in relation to consent, but it’s worth thinking about ‘green flags’, the signs that work.
# Courts
Man charged with sexual assault on sleeping woman in hotel room
The defence solicitor said that the accused was very drunk and tried to ‘take a chance’ of reawakening sexual activity
# Consent
Stronger laws on determining consent in rape cases agreed by Cabinet
McEntee is currently seeking approval to publish a general scheme of the bill and then begin drafting the proposed legislation.
All time
Voices
Opinion: Education must be at the heart of all efforts to create a culture of consent
Dr Siobhán O’Higgins & Dr Caroline West of the Active* Consent programme in NUI Galway look at what needs to be done to improve our understanding of consent.
Voices
Opinion: It took me years to realise I'd been raped - I had never been taught about consent
Ashley Westpheling says she compartmentalised the experience of sexual assault, only realising years later that what had happened was wrong.
# Consent
Most Irish people think there is a problem with understanding sexual consent, new research finds
70% said there is a problem with understanding consent in Ireland.
# Consent
9 in 10 teenage girls aged 15-17 agree consent is always required for sexual activity
The results of the new Consent Communication study by NUI Galway’s Active* Consent programme.
# Education
Online learning hub on sexual consent for third level to launch in new academic year
It will contain material for students and staff in higher level institutions.
# Consent
McEntee wants image-based abuse to be illegal by the end of the year
People could face up to seven years in prison if they publish intimate images without consent.
# Abuse
McEntee says anyone who shares intimate images without consent 'will face serious criminal sanctions'
The justice minister said the recent sharing of images without consent has angered her and she will bring in “tough new laws”.
# Consent
'We need to cop on': Harris says government is committed to changing sexual assault laws
Simon Harris will meet with the National Women’s Council’s advisory committee on ending sexual violence later today.
# Students
3 in 10 female third-level students have experienced non-consensual penetration, survey finds
That’s according to a new national survey published by NUI Galway’s Active Consent Programme.
# autonomy
Consent is crucial for coronavirus testing. But in nursing homes, it isn't always so simple
Patients must consent to be tested – but sometimes that can prove challenging.
# Consent
Why the conversation around Normal People's sex scenes shows how Ireland has changed
The issue of consent is to the forefront – and the complaints are at a minimum.
# pure in heart
Catholic group that taped students together in sex ed talks develops presentation for primary schools
Teenagers have previously spoken to TheJournal.ie about the presentations in secondary schools – in one case a group was told condoms fail one in six times.
# Consent
Law Reform Commission recommends changes to laws surrounding consent in rape cases
The commission is calling for the introduction of a new ‘objective’ test.
# Sexual Assault
Outrage in Spain after men are acquitted of raping girl 'because she didn't fight back'
The 14-year-old victim was unconscious at the time.
# Brexit
Explainer: Here's how the consent vote in the North will work
How and when will elected reps get to cast their vote and why is it a thorny issue for the DUP?
# Ray O'Sullivan
Hospital seeks suspension of gynaecologist who performed 'exploratory work' without consent
The Kilkenny hospital commissioned a report into the doctor’s behaviour.
# Barcelona
Miley Cyrus speaks out after man grabs her 'without consent' at event
The incident happened at an event in Spain.
# On the rise
Harris concerned over 'spike' in presentations to sexual assault treatment units during Freshers' week
Simon Harris says presentations to sexual assault treatment units are increasing.
# Your Say
Poll: Should colleges be at risk of losing funding if sexual consent classes aren't provided?
That is a recommendation contained in a new government-commissioned report.
# Consent
UCD issues apology after computer science students were sent email asking to help develop sex consent app
Students this afternoon received an email stating that the correspondence was sent in error.
# rape myths
Abuse survivor says legal profession should 'bring their morals as well as law books into courtrooms'
Leona O’Callaghan said the government and judiciary needs to stop pointing at each other and step up to make changes.
# Prime Numbers
How many people believe underwear should not be discussed in a rape case? It's the week in numbers
Plus: The number of cases of social welfare fraud reported to gardaí last year.
# Consent
Nine in 10 people believe a person's underwear should not be discussed in a rape case
A barrister’s comments sparked outrage and led to protests last week.
# Consent
Black lace thong held up in the Dáil as TD raises controversial rape trial comments
TD Ruth Coppinger said it was time for ‘rape myths’ to be dispelled with in court cases,
# Consent
'People were incredibly uncomfortable in that room': USI cannot condone 'hazing' event at DCU
Students behind “inappropriate behaviour” at DCU’s A&F society event to undergo consent training.
# sex ed
Minister 'shocked' and 'taken aback' at the age Irish children are viewing pornography
A new survey finds that 53% of boys in Ireland first watched porn under the age of 13.
# Consent
70% of female students in Ireland experience sexual hostility or gender harassment
54% of first-year women students reported experiencing sexual hostility or crude gender harassment since starting college.
# law reform
Here are the legal options being considered about sexual consent
The Law Reform Commission is examining a number of issues in relation to rape cases.
# sex education
'Like rabbits caught in headlights': Catholic schools head says sex ed has not moved with the times
TDs and Senators pressed on if elements of sex education would be left out of the curriculum in Catholic schools.
# Leinster House
'Considerable surprise in the room': There was a sexual consent class for TDs and Senators today
Paul Murphy said that his legislation to provide objective sex education in schools is sorely needed.
Voices
Consent: 'The purchase of sex is conducted without regard for women’s pleasure'
Prostitution undermines consent and women’s bodily autonomy, writes Samantha Slater.
# asking for it
Audiences left 'shell-shocked' at world premiere of Irish play about sexual violence
The stage adaptation of Louise O’Neill’s best-selling book has made its world premiere in the Everyman in Cork.
# on campus
TCD sexual consent classes get green light for expansion to clubs and socs
The classes have been trialled in Trinity Halls but the student union wants them elsewhere on campus.
# Speaking out
'The only thing I remember about sex education was STIs': Young people have their say on sex education
Recent survey results from Youth Work Ireland have shown how recent events like the #MeToo movement have changed the conversation around sex.
Voices
Roisin Shortall: 'Harvesting the personal data of children for marketing purposes is repugnant'
If it isn’t clearly prohibited there is no incentive for these companies to stop the practice, writes Roisin Shortall.
Voices
'If someone requires an app to prove legal consent then you shouldn’t be having sex with them'
We need to make consent sexy, writes Filomena Kaguako.
# giving evidence
Calls for cross-examination of victims in rape trials to be pre-recorded
The Rape Crisis Network Ireland has released a ‘timely’ report.
