Dublin Rape Crisis Centre highlights right to sexual consent on International Women’s Day (Wednesday 8 March)

07 March 2017

Clenched fist

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre highlights right to sexual consent on International Women’s Day (Wednesday 8 March)

Statement by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

To celebrate the launch of their action marking International Women’s Day 2017 on 8 March 2017, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre announced that they would focus on the fact that women are entitled not to be forced or coerced in any way into having sex.  Their theme is ‘Ask Consent, it’s a woman’s human right’.

The one day campaign, highlighting the importance of consent will be launched for the Centre by Minister Katherine Zappone TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Third level students from USI are attending the launch as well as the Young Social Innovator winners, second level students from Eureka Secondary School, Kells who formed the ‘It’s the Yes, not the Dress’ campaign.

The campaign will concentrate on using social media to spread awareness of the meaning of consent and will be kicked off by a Consent Canvas where the Minister and others will write their descriptions of consent.

Launching the Consent Canvas at Government Buildings, Minister Zappone said:

“I am proud to support this campaign of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre for International Women’s Day 2017 in the presence of these students.  Young people are leading the conversation about what consent means and they are therefore helping to build a society which is more respectful of human rights.”

Noeline Blackwell, CEO of DRCC said “We chose the theme of consent for International Women’s Day because the notion of consent is so powerful.  A greater understanding of consent will lead to a reduction in the level of violence against women will fall and therefore an increase in women’s human rights”

Síona Cahill, Vice President for Equality of the Union of Students in Ireland said “Sexual consent is not an option, it is simply mandatory.  We need a culture and mindset change when it comes to the education of young people around sexual health and consent, and international women’s day highlights that need.”

For further comment please contact:     Noeline Blackwell, CEO.  

Note: Photographs will be taken and distributed to the media by Maxwell Photography

Editor’s Notes

  1. The DRCC is taking the opportunity on International Women’s Day to again highlight our #AskConsent Campaign which aims to raise awareness; and to continue the conversation about what consent means.  On Wednesday 8th March, we are asking our followers and supporters to use the positive power of social media to share the consent message:

#AskConsent: It’s every woman’s #HumanRight. This International Women’s Day #IWD2017 Let’s #BeBoldForChange”

  1. Internationally, one of the labels for International Women’s Day 2017 is #BeBoldForChange”, full details of campaign events in Ireland from this site can be accessed at https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Events.
  1. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is a non-governmental, voluntary organisation which has as its mission to prevent the harm and heal the trauma of rape. In addition to working to eliminate tolerance of sexual violence in our society, it offers a suite of services to victims of sexual violence.  It runs the National 24-hour Helpline for those who need it in any part of the country. It offers face to face therapy and accompaniment to the Rotunda Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, to court or to Garda stations to people in Dublin and in surrounding areas from its offices at Leeson Street. There are outreach offices at Coolock Civic Centre, Dóchas Women’s Centre, Mountjoy Prison and Tallaght Hospital.
  2. We ask that when reporting on this topic, journalists remember that discussions on sexual violence can trigger personal trauma in those receiving the information. Where possible, please make reference to the National 24-hour helpline number 1800 77 88 88 for anyone who may be affected by the discussion.