Promoting Consent and Preventing Sexual Violence

LIT is committed to fostering a safe, respectful and supportive institutional campus culture. We are actively working to implement the Framework for Consent in HEIs: Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive: Ending Sexual Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions and learning from the recommendations in THEA’s Promoting Consent and Preventing Sexual Violence Report

As part of her final year project in Creative Broadcast and Film Production, Juliette Grufferty, LIT’s Student Union Deputy President (2020-2021), researched and produced the following video exploring the meaning of consent and the work with students to promote active consent.

LIT’s Promoting Consent and Preventing Sexual Violence Action Group.
The LIT Promoting Consent & Preventing Sexual Violence Action Group oversees the implementation of the Framework for Consent in HEIs; Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive: Ending Sexual Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions at LIT. An institutional wide 4 year Action Plan has been developed and implementation of this is now underway. The Terms of Reference for this Action Group can be found here

Members of this action group include:
- VP Academic Affairs & Registrar / VP Equality & Diversity: M/s Marian Duggan
- EDI Manager – Dr Carol Wrenn
- Academic Administrator and Student Affairs Manager – M/s Linda Barry
- HR Manager – Mr Peter Doyle
- Heads of Department –
  - Dr Carole Glynn (Applied Social Sciences)
  - Mr James Collins (Business & Financial Services)
  - Mr James Greenslade (Digital Arts & Media)
  - Dr Philip Ryan (Mechanical & Automobile Engineering)
- Head of Student Counselling – M/s Noreen Keane
- Student Counsellor – M/s Niamh Murphy
- Students Union Vice President - M/s Juliette Grufferty
External advisors to this group include:
- Miriam Duffy – Executive Director Mid West Rape Crisis
Active Consent Classes and Workshops

In partnership with NUIG Active*Consent we run Active*Consent online classes. As part of LIT’s induction schedule, all first year students are invited to take part in these classes. Active Consent online classes will be made available for all students and staff. These online sessions will take 30 minutes and will not require any sharing of personal information.
NUIG Active*Consent E-Learning Module, Sexual Violence and Harassment: How to Support Yourself and Your Peers

Upon completion of NUIG’s Active*Consent workshop, students and staff are also advised to take the NUIG Active*Consent E-Learning Module, Sexual Violence and Harassment: How to Support Yourself and Your Peers. This module builds on topics explored in the Active*Consent online workshop to introduce a more nuanced understanding of sexual violence, harassment and support services available to students who have had negative sexual experiences. This is a 45 minute self-guided eLearning module and provides viewers with introductory skills in supporting anyone who discloses negative experiences and how to safely call out and intervene in developing negative situations in their peer group and community.

Who is this eLearning module for?

All students and staff who have done the Active* Consent online workshop
Speak Out

PCHEI (Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland), (of which the LIT Student Counselling Service are members), and the Higher Education Authority, are developing an online reporting tool that will allow for the anonymous reporting of incidents of sexual harassment, bullying, assault and violence. This tool will provide a platform that provides a central resource for reporting pathways, support information and prevention materials and guidance. The intelligence and insight gathered through this online tool will inform proactive and targeted interventions in LIT and is GDPR compliant. Furthermore, it is hoped that this online platform will enable victims who initially make an anonymous report find the strength to come forward and make a named report.

This online tool will be available during the Academic year 2021/2022.
Staff Awareness

It is important that staff in LIT are aware of key definitions in relation to consent, sexual violence and harassment as well as their role in supporting disclosures. The PROPEL Action group are developing a training plan for staff. In the interim, the following video developed by Active Consent provides an important information in relation to concepts, statistics and basic language to support students or colleagues who disclose sexual violence to them.
Support Services
Student Support Services

LIT Student Counselling provides a range of services and contacts. This page includes a range of other support contacts.

LIT Student Health provides a range of health services. This page includes a range of support contacts.

Staff Support Services

The Employee Assistance Programme is an available resource, providing professional support and information on a wide range of topics. It is available to all LIT staff and their families. Free Phone 1800 814 243. Text/ Whats App "Hi" to 087 369 0010

Other Support Services

Rape Crisis Centre:

(061) 311511, 24 hr emergency service 1800 311 511

Garda Stations Limerick City:
- Henry Street (061) 212400
- Mayorstone (061) 456980 – Community Garda Gerry Keating
- Roxboro Rd. (061) 214340
Garda Stations Tipperary
- Slievenamon Road, Thurles (0504) 25100
- Emmet Street, Clonmel (052) 6177640
Garda Station Ennis
- Abbey Street, Ennis (065) 6848100