The training and education programmes at UL help people learn how to recognise, prevent, and respond to sexual violence and harassment.

By taking part in these sessions, individuals can become advocates for change, building a more aware and supportive community.

Active Consent

Consent is a part of our everyday lives for a variety of activities, so why should it be any different when it comes to intimate relationships? Consent is important because it ensures all parties involved feel respected, safe, and in control of their own choices and boundaries. 

The Active*Consent workshops are a cornerstone here in University of Limerick for creating a safe and respectful environment for all our campus community. 

These workshops aim to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to establish healthy, consensual sexual relationships 

Active*Consent is OMFG! Ongoing, Mutual, and Freely Given.

It requires clear, enthusiastic agreement at every stage of any type of sexual interaction, whether it’s verbal, physical or digital – regardless of relationship status or sexual orientation. 

Consent is for Everyone! Consent is for Everything! 

Types of workshops available

Active*Consent – Introduction to Consent (30 mins) 

This workshop is an introduction to the concept of consent and introduces a variety of topics and issues such as: 

  • What consent and non-consent look like 

  • Communication skills around giving and receiving consent 

  • Relevant laws and legal definitions around consent and sexual violence 

  • Irish data on young people’s views on consent  

  • Highlights what can impact a person giving, or receiving consent 

At no point during this workshop are people asked to share personal experiences. 

This workshop incorporates all the elements of the Introduction to Consent session, but is interactive with individual and small group discussions that explore consent through real-life stories, and discuss the nuances of sexual consent. 

At no point during this workshop are people asked to share personal experiences. 

Digital Intimacy and sending nudes are often part of modern relationships, so it is important to learn how to share and communicate intimate content is a safe, and legal way. This workshop equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to navigate digital intimacy safely and consensually, while also addressing the potential challenges associated with it. 

This workshop explores: 

  • The benefits and challenges of digital intimacy (such as sexting and sending nudes) 

  • Image based sexual abuse, aka IBSA (and why we don’t call it “revenge porn”) 

  • Irish laws around IBSA 

  • How to identify catfishing 

  • How to be an Active*Bystander online 

  • Support Services and helplines 

At no point during this workshop are people asked to share personal experiences.  

 

Following completion of an Active*Consent Workshop, it is recommended that you follow up with the eLearning module: Sexual Violence and Harassment: How to Support Yourself and Your Peers. 

Workshop rollout 

Active*Consent workshops are mandatory for all incoming first-year undergraduates and are rolled out during Orientation Week. Details of this can be found on your Orientation schedule. 

Understanding and practising active consent are essential to navigating new social environments and are particularly crucial for young adults as they embark on new relationships, both personal and professional. 

Additional Active*Consent workshops, open to all students, are scheduled throughout the academic year. 

By fostering and promoting a culture of consent, students learn to respect boundaries, communicate effectively, and develop the skills necessary for building healthy and fulfilling sexual relationships. 

 

Upcoming workshops

Dates TBC for AY24/25 

Further information

For more information on Active*Consent visit www.consenthub.ie 

 

Bystander Intervention

The Bystander Intervention Programme, created by University College Cork, offers training and resources that empower individuals to step in, speak up, and support others in situations of sexual violence and harassment.

This training covers a range of topics, including definitions, scenarios, role-playing exercises, critical questions, actionable steps, and resources.

Participants will gain the knowledge and skills needed to intervene if and when it is SAFE to do so when witnessing harmful behaviours. 

This training consists of five modules, with the first four completed independently on Brightspace. The final module includes an in-person session, followed by a brief assignment. 

 

Handling Disclosures 

Handling Disclosures of Sexual Violence and Harassment (SVH) Training is available to both staff and students to enable them to provide a compassionate and supportive response to individuals who come forward with their experiences.

It is crucial for fostering trust and ensuring that survivors feel safe and heard, which ca encourage them to seek further support. By appropriately addressing disclosures of SVH the university shows its commitment to addressing SVH, promoting healing, and creating a culture of accountability and awareness. 

This training is delivered by members of the Active*Consent Team, and Galway Rape Crisis Centre numerous times throughout the academic year. 

Upcoming dates TBC. 

 

Start Here Campaign 

The 2020 Sexual Experiences Survey carried out by Active*Consent and USI revealed that 79 per cent of college students who disclosed an incident of sexual violence and harassment told a close friend first.  

What would you do if a friend or colleague disclosed to you? Do you know what supports to signpost? 

The Active*Consent Start Here Campaign is a great resource that shares tips on the Do’s and Don’ts.

Check out the video with Keelin Moncrieff who highlights some of these tips.