An image of a poster with the slogan 'always ask consent' printed on it

Bystander Intervention Programme


UCC's Bystander Intervention programme provides training and other resources on how to step in, speak up and support others in situations of sexual misconduct and sexual violence. Available to all UCC students and staff, and for a fee, to external users, the training includes everything from definitions, scenarios, role-plays, questions, action steps and resources to equip you with knowledge and skills to SAFELY intervene in instances of harmful or violent words, actions or behaviours.


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Bystander Intervention: A Quick Guide - Video


How can I be an effective Bystander?
Watch this quick guide to the Bystander Intervention programme at UCC!


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Become a UCC Bystander Ambassador


By becoming a UCC Bystander Ambassador, you’ll be advocating for a world free from sexual violence and gender inequalities. Get involved in our events, let us know your ideas, contribute to critical and inclusive debate, take action, and spread the word, whether it’s with your pen or your voice, you are very welcome!


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Participant Reflections

I felt empowered, even in the minutes following my workshops, to be better than I was before I began.

Laura, BA Applied Psychology student, UCC

Through the bystander programme, I really noticed how consent… is really a collective social responsibility that everyone has to buy into so that you can make the campus a safer a place.

Maeve, BA (Politics and English) student, UCC

Staff have a unique opportunity in the community to make decisions which will be in the best interest of our students, peers, members of our community.

Eleanor Donoghue, Head of Career Services, UCC

This course not only personally helped me but it gave me the skills to handle certain situations safely over Freshers’ and RAG Week with the Student Community Support.

Saoirse, BMus student, UCC

One of the things that really stood out to me all the way through the workshops was the idea that although we may feel like we are the only ones who care, that is not the case.

Student

Victims are often unsure to reveal details about their domestic violence...scared about the direct consequences (e.g. losing the partner/perpetrator) or being embarrassed of being not taken seriously.

Staff member

I want to spread awareness of how easy it can be to help someone out of a difficult situation and to show the importance of early intervention.

Student

All we need is for one person to stand up and say something, and the others will follow.

Student

Nobody should have the right to think they are better or more powerful because of anatomy. Nobody should have to die because of an unfortunate gender lottery.

Staff member

News

21 Dec 2023

UCC Bystander Intervention Jan-Dec 2023 Newsletter

The UCC Bystander Intervention Newsletter for January to December 2023 has been released. Click the following link to read:
Read more
Professor Louise Crowley, photo by Irish Independent
07 Nov 2023

‘People were accused of grooming children’ – Five things we learned on consent at the Oireachtas education committee

Earlier today, the Oireachtas education committee heard from The Active Consent Programme and the UCC Bystander Intervention Programme: two independent programmes that are teaching school and university students about healthy relationships and consent. Here is what we learned from them.
Read on independent.ie
Photo by Irish Examiner
07 Nov 2023

Consent lessons should be expanded to secondary schools, Oireachtas committee told

Some parents wish to keep their children “ignorant” on issues surrounding intimacy and consent despite a significant need and desire to learn from students and teachers, an Oireachtas committee has heard. Representatives from the University of Galway-based Active Consent Programme and University College Cork’s (UCC) Bystander Intervention Programme outlined the need for education on consent for all secondary school students.
Read on irishexaminer.com
24 Feb 2023

New, staff-focused, Bystander Intervention Programme to launch next week

The award-nominated UCC Bystander Intervention Programme will launch a new version of the course, aimed at staff, on Thursday. Shortlisted for the Outstanding Support for Students Award in the prestigious 2022 Times Higher Education Awards, Bystander Intervention has been rolled out at third-level institutions across Ireland since its inception here at UCC. Led by Professor Louise Crowley of the UCC School of Law, the programme has featured in across the media in national discussions on consent and harassment. This new programme will launch at 11.30am on Thursday, March 2 at the G.27 (Seminar Room) in the O'Rahilly Building and will feature a speech from Prof. Crowley as well as a Q&A session with staff who have completed the programme.
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