Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2022
150. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the strategies that his Department is implementing to tackle the issue of the prevalence of sexual violence against women and girls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56864/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the UK government awareness campaign on the issue of the prevalence of sexual violence against women and girls, entitled “ENOUGH”; if he will consider developing and funding a similar campaign in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56865/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.
I note the Deputy’s reference to the UK Government’s awareness campaign on the issue of the prevalence of sexual violence against women and girls, entitled “ENOUGH”. The Deputy will be aware that my colleague, Deputy Helen McEntee TD and Minister for Justice, published the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual & Gender-Based Violence 2022-2026 in June. The new Strategy includes a number public awareness raising and training actions which are being led by the Department of Justice with the support of other departments.
My Department is leading on a number of awareness raising campaigns which complement the work of the Department of Justice. For example, the recent #Unmute Consent 2023 campaign aims to mobilise the student community to make a difference, by speaking out, by enhancing their own knowledge about consent, and ultimately, by changing behaviours. The campaign is led by the IUA in partnership with THEA and USI. The campaign targets students across all HEIs, with a particular emphasis on first year undergraduates and high-risk groups.
