Overhaul Ireland's sex education or face an addiction epidemic 

Brian Keane speaks to experts about sex education and its impact on the sexual health of future generations of Irish people

Compulsive sexual behaviour is thriving in Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic as the conditions in lockdown are ripe for addiction to escalate, according to experts dealing with people seeking assistance to overcome sex addiction.

"Ireland is maturing when it comes to how we think and talk about sex. Whether it is our curriculum in school, or our open attitude towards sex, Ireland is turning its back on its moralistic past. In doing so, we will have to address the shame and sexual trauma left behind after years of dysfunction. This process should, and must, include a conversation around consent, education, and, very importantly, sex addiction. And I believe we are ready to have that conversation," says senator Lynn Ruane, a long-time community addiction worker and ex-president of Trinity College Dublin’s Student Union.

Compulsive sexual behaviour is thriving in Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic as the conditions in lockdown are ripe for addiction to escalate, according to experts dealing with people seeking assistance to overcome sex addiction. In fact, specialist services cannot keep up with the demand.