New campaign will help young people support friends who have been victims of sexual violence

‘Start Here’ campaign is aiming to give young people the skills to listen, empathise and support their friends who have experienced sexual misconduct. File picture

A new national campaign has been launched to help young people support friends who have experienced sexual violence or harassment.

With research highlighting the vital role peers play in supporting survivors, the ‘Start Here’ campaign is aiming to give young people the skills to listen, empathise and support their friends who have experienced sexual misconduct.

Led by led by University of Galway’s Active* Consent programme, Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn (AMLÉ, formerly the Union of Students in Ireland), Galway Rape Crisis Centre, and Education and Training Boards Ireland, resources include tips on disclosure, as well as key information on support services and how to access them.

The Active* Consent programme developed the consent education workshops, which now make up part of orientation weeks at colleges countrywide. 

The initiative was developed in response to research findings highlighting the high percentage of students who disclose sexual misconduct first to close friend. 

In 2020, Active Consent and AMLÉ national Sexual Experiences Survey found 79% of college students who disclosed sexual misconduct first spoke to a close friend.

In 2022, the Higher Education Authority’s Survey of Student Experiences of Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education found this figure was even higher at 85%. 

Professor Pádraig MacNeela, head of the School of Psychology at the University of Galway and Active* Consent Programme lead, said: "This shows the importance of people having access to ways of managing disclosures in a trauma-informed manner with some simple dos and don’ts, with the main objective to be confident in signposting to relevant services."

Emma Monahan, AMLÉ vice-president for welfare, said the campaign had the potential to make a significant impact on creating a supportive environment for survivors of sexual violence. 

"Active* Consent has been an amazing resource both to students' unions and young people over the years, and we are delighted to maintain our partnership and to continue working closely together," she added. 

Cut to student contribution fee

Meanwhile, a €500 cut to the student contribution fee of €3,000 is expected to be announced as part of Budget 2026 on Tuesday. 

In recent years, a €1,000 reduction has applied to fees as a cost-of-living measure. The expected announcement has drawn criticism from opposition parties.

Labour’s spokesperson on further and higher education Senator Laura Harmon said the programme for government made a clear commitment to reduce and abolish fees. 

"The cheek of this Government to pretend that they are decreasing fees by €500 is a slap in the face to so many students and families across the country.

"Families are under pressure from groceries, to sending children back to school, to trying to pay rent or a mortgage." 

Jen Cummins, the Social Democrats spokesperson on further and higher education, said even if this level of reduction was applied annually over this Government’s term, it would not be enough to abolish fees outright.

"Presenting a €500 cut as a permanent measure will be of little comfort to students who need help now."