Sexual consent workshops to be introduced for University of Limerick students

SEXUAL consent classes could be rolled out to first years at the University of Limerick from September 2018 as part of a new module.

The University of Limerick Students’ Union is hoping to introduce a new module for new students at the university, covering topics like well-being, mental health, sexual health and sexual consent.

ULSU was forced to cancel  its own consent classes last year due to a lack of sign ups to the workshops. 

“We’ve received funding from the university to get Dr Paudraig McNeela of Smart Consent down from NUIG,” ULSU welfare officer Roberta Harrington said. 

Smart Consent Workshops were developed at the School of Psychology at NUI, Galway in conjunction with the Rape Crisis Network. The workshops have been carried out by Dr McNeela at univeristies around the country with great success. 

“There was 19 students and staff trained up, including myself, four staff from the student union, the student nurse, members of the counselling department, students from first year right through to first year are being trained up as well.”

“It's been a really, really positive step. Clubs and Societies as well will hopefully be rolling it out down the line, that's something we’re working towards.”