Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
625. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department continues to monitor incidents of professional bullying throughout the higher education system; the extent to which bullying is evident in colleges throughout the country; the action taken or being taken to counter this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51989/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that there are a number of Programme for Government (PfG) commitments aimed at addressing bullying, including a commitment to commission surveys of staff and students in the areas of harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying in higher education.
Our higher education institutions have a duty of to ensure that staff and students have a safe environment to study and work; free from bullying, harassment or other forms of unwanted behaviour. This is not an ‘add-on’ or part of a wish-list. This is an entitlement for everyone who works and studies at our third level institutions.
Surveys of staff and student’s experience of sexual violence and harassment in Irish higher education institutes were conducted last year, with the two survey findings published last January. Since the publication of the survey findings, my department has been working with the HEA and key stakeholders to develop an implementation plan which represents a comprehensive and ambitious response to the recommendations contained in the two survey reports. I launched this implementation plan (Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Higher Education Institutions - IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 2022-2024) last Thursday. It contains 19 actions which will be delivered between 2022 and 2024. I have also recently secured an additional €1.5m in funding to appoint Sexual Violence and Harassment (SVH) Prevention and Response Managers in our HEIs who will lead on the important changes we are making.
In August, I launched the findings of a Report on the National Survey of Staff Experiences of Bullying in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) conducted by the specialist DCU Anti-Bullying Centre. This report presents the findings of an anonymous online survey, commissioned by my department, examining the prevalence and impact of workplace bullying among staff in 20 publicly-funded HEIs in Ireland. The survey of staff experiences of bullying in higher education was conducted in late 2021. A total of 3,835 HEI staff responses were analysed.
The survey report includes a number of recommendations, which will inform future policy decisions to tackle workplace bullying within higher education institutions. Some of these recommendations include:
- awareness, education and training;
- implementing evidence-based programmes (with a focus on Equality Diversity and Inclusion);
- supporting targets of bullying and bystanders;
- developing anti bullying policies in consultation with employees; and
- ongoing research to further explore and monitor the prevalence of workplace bullying in HEIs
My Department is currently working with DCU’s National Anti-Bullying Centre to progress work on a student survey on bullying which I plan to launch in the coming weeks.
The Deputy will also be familiar with the ‘Speak Out’ tool which my Department has funded. 'Speak Out' is the Online Anonymous Reporting Tool for Sexual Harassment and Violence across higher education institutions which I launched in October 2021. The online and anonymous reporting platform provides a mechanism for the reporting of incidents of bullying; cyberbullying; harassment; discrimination; hate crime; coercive behaviour or control; stalking; assault; sexual harassment; sexual assault or rape. The project has been rolled out across 18 higher education institutions throughout the last academic year for students, staff and visitors. This project is a ground-breaking initiative which is underpinned by an ethos of cross-institutional collaboration in response to such incidences within higher education institutions.
The primary goal of the various surveys is to create a basis for the development of evidence based policy. We have an expert Advisory Group on Ending Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment in HEIs in place which is providing advice on appropriate policy responses in this area. The intention is to establish a working group, under the auspices of the HEA’s Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, to review the findings of the two bullying surveys and develop actions to achieve our shared goal to develop a more inclusive organisational culture for both staff and students in Irish higher education institutions.
I have been very clear that the tertiary education and training sector must lead the way in changing cultures, behaviours and practices across society to ensure that bullying, sexual violence and harassment are not tolerated. I will continue to lead the way on institutional change, championing the changes required, listening to survivors and working in collaboration to achieve justice for victims and a cultural norm where bullying is not tolerated.
