Dublin Rape Crisis Centre removes video on children’s consent after minister’s criticism

'Not everyone wants a hug,' the video says. 'Even from the people who love them. Awkward? Maybe. Important? Absolutely.'

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan has described an advertisement suggesting grandparents should seek consent before hugging their grandchildren as “demeaning” and “counterproductive”.

Mr O’Callaghan criticised the video produced by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) as “inappropriate”, insisting it did not “represent the views of the Government”.

The DRCC has confirmed that it removed the video, which focuses on children’s consent and boundaries, from its online channels.

The video shows two grandparents arriving at a house. One grandson is happy to receive a hug, while his sister expresses discomfort.

“Not everyone wants a hug,” the video says.

“Even from the people who love them. Awkward? Maybe. Important? Absolutely.” 

The video later directs viewers to a website about consent.

Minister distances Government from video

In a statement on Thursday morning, Mr O’Callaghan distanced the Government from the video, saying it was inappropriate.

“The video produced by the DRCC involving grandparents does not represent the views of the Government,” he said.

The video produced by the DRCC involving grandparents does not represent the views of the Government. It was both inappropriate and demeaning to grandparents and has been removed by DRCC following my officials engagement with them.

— Jim O'Callaghan TD (@OCallaghanJim) October 22, 2026

“It was both inappropriate and demeaning to grandparents and has been removed by DRCC following my officials engagement with them.

“It goes without saying that having loving grandparents in a child’s life is an incredibly positive thing to be cherished and not something to be campaigned against.

“While it is vital to ensure that people understand the concept of consent when it comes to sexual relationships, this video did not advance that aim and in many ways was counterproductive.”