Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
117. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions that he has taken to implement the key recommendations of the surveys of experiences of sexual violence and harassment in higher education reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12369/22]
View answerThere are a number of Programme for Government (PfG) commitments aimed at addressing sexual harassment and bullying. Specifically the PfG commits to “Ensure that every Higher Education Institution commissions a survey for all staff and students on harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying, with a view to informing their equality, diversity and inclusion action plans.”
Following consultation with key stakeholders, a decision was made to undertake separate surveys on sexual violence & harassment and to commission distinct surveys on bullying.
In April 2021, at my request the Higher Education Authority (HEA) conducted national surveys to monitor the experiences of students and staff in relation to sexual violence and harassment in order to create a robust evidence base for further policy and funding decisions in relation to tackling sexual violence and harassment in higher education institutions (HEIs). The HEA established an expert Advisory Group on Ending Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment in HEIs in January 2021 to support this work.
I met with this HEA Advisory Group on 9th February 2022. I tasked them to review the surveys and to come back to me with actions as a result of the conclusions and recommendations from the surveys. I have also tasked the National Advisory Council (NAC) in the National Women’s Council, to review the surveys and come back to me with actions based on the conclusions and recommendations from the surveys. I expect both groups to report to me shortly; so that an action plan can be developed which will complement the work already underway on the Consent Framework.
My Department is also working closely with the Department of Justice on the Third National Strategy to combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The Deputy will be aware that the public consultation phase is currently underway and will remain open until March 10.
