Ninth Level Ireland

“Thousands of college students at third level say they have experienced sexual violence or harassment, according to a national study on sexual harassment in higher education. The figures are contained in a survey of almost 8,000 students and 3,500 staff across all third-level institutions last year which collected data from respondents on their experiences of sexual harassment and sexual violence …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 27 January]

[Student report is here, summary here; staff report is here, summary here.]

“Queen’s University Belfast is distributing spiking testing kits within its students’ union bar, following an increase in women having their drinks spiked in bars across Northern Ireland during recent months …” (more)

[Niamh Campbell, Belfast Telegraph, 14 December]

“The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, has said he has agreed to put together, with the Union of Students in Ireland, an awareness campaign warning about the possible spiking of women and others with drugs in bars and nightclubs here …” (more)

[Emma O Kelly, RTÉ News, 5 November]

“UCC Student’s Union has written an open letter to bars and clubs in Cork in response to the recent increase in reported drug spiking cases – involving drinks or needles – across Ireland and the UK …” (more)

[Daire Fitton, CorkBeo, 3 November]

“A UCC student who was spiked with drugs via needle at the weekend is ‘begging’ others to be vigilant on nights out …” (more)

[Martha Brennan, EchoLive, 31 October]

“University College Dublin Students’ Union has warned students to be vigilant following growing reports of drink spiking and spiking via injection in bars and nightclubs across parts of Ireland and Britain. The union said it has heard reports from students about potential instances of spiking during the first semester …” (more)

[Maeve Lee, Irish Examiner, 27 October]

“Ulster University (UU) says it has received three reports from students who believe they have had their drinks spiked in Londonderry. The incidents are alleged to have occurred in the past week, UU said …” (more)

[BBC News, 21 October]

“Ongoing detailed consultation by university managements with staff and students on safety and resource provision is essential to guarantee a sustainable re-opening of higher education, The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) has stated following issuing of Leaving Certificate results to students …” (more)

[IFUT, 8 September]

“The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences has joined with other higher education institutes (HEIs) to develop a protocol that is to facilitate the safe arrival of international students, many of whom are returning to Ireland to continue their studies …” (more)

[Valerie Ryan, Irish Medical Times, 1 September]

“All third level institutions will be required to produce and publish action plans on tackling sexual harassment as part of efforts to root out sex crimes in colleges …” (more)

[Juno McEnroe, Irish Examiner, 27 July]

“Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has said society needs to challenge the perception of what sexual assault is, adding he was ‘stunned’ by the prevalence of attacks among students. Almost three in 10 female students have reported non-consensual penetration by incapacitation, force or threat of force during their time in college, according to a Union of Students Ireland (USI) survey published in June …” (more)

[Aine McMahon, BreakingNews.ie, 27 July]

“The number of sexual assaults on students at the University of Limerick and other third-level institutions are being grossly under-reported, according to a recent survey. Outgoing president of UL, Dr Des Fitzgerald, has said that the Sexual Experiences Survey, carried out by the Union of Students in Galway, ‘in no way reflects the reality or the frequency of sexual assault …'” (more)

[Bernie English, Limerick Post, 21 July]

“An extensive survey of third level students has revealed that almost one-third of women experienced ‘non-consensual penetration during their time in college’. The figure is 28% for non-binary students and 10% for males …” (more)

[Ruth Coppinger, University Times, 13 July]

“A new framework for reporting sexual assault anonymously on college campuses will be rolled out at the end of September, its developer Gertie Raftery has said …” (more)

[Molly Furey, University Times, 7 July]

“Many universities from across the country have issued responses following a recent survey highlighting the prevalence of non-consensual sexual experiences among university students. In light of the report, several representatives of University College Dublin’s staff and Students Union have acknowledged the universities acute awareness of this issue, and the importance of working to tackle it …” (more)

[Gemma Farrell, College Tribune, 30 June]

“This week, the results of a survey conducted by NUI Galway and the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) showed us what many students unfortunately already know – sexual harassment and assault are scarily common on campuses …” (more)

[University Times, 28 June]

“Nine colleges across the country have signed up to an online system for students to report sexual assault. The new service will allow victims of assault and harassment to report their cases anonymously. The aim is to provide a space for people to feel comfortable in coming forward, and to collect accurate data …” (more)

[Irish Examiner, 18 February]

“Nine Irish Colleges have signed up to an €80,000 online system that allows students to anonymously report experiences of sexual assault. Some of Ireland’s largest colleges, including Trinity College Dublin, NUI Galway and Maynooth University, have signed up to the system, which is funded by the Department of Education …” (more)

[TheJournal.ie, 18 February]

“Trinity has asked students studying abroad in Hong Kong to ‘carefully consider the situation and advise if they would like to stay or return’ after pro-democracy protests spilled onto college campuses this week, TheJournal.ie reported today …” (more)

[Cormac Watson, University Times, 14 November]

“University College Dublin (UCD) has advised its students on exchange in two universities in Hong Kong to return home. The students, thought to number fewer than five in total, have been studying in the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CHUK) and the University of Hong Kong (HKU), both of which have closed for the remainder of term …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Kate Lamb and Jessie Pang, Independent, 14 November]