RCSI welcomes the publication of the HEA survey report on Student and Staff Experiences of Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment in Higher Education.

We acknowledge the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Higher Education Authority ongoing leadership in ensuring that our third level institutions are safe environments for both staff and students.

RCSI is committed to ending sexual violence, supporting survivors and promoting consent, and to ensuring that our students and staff can learn and work in an environment defined by dignity and respect.

It is positive to see that respondents have confidence in the support mechanisms that our HEIs provide however we also acknowledge that much more needs to be done in areas including awareness raising and training.

RCSI established a forum on Ending sexual violence, supporting survivors and promoting consent (ESP) in 2018. This group is responsible for developing and implementing RCSI’s action plan and reflects the principles of the national consent framework.

We participated in the development and launch of a new national Speak Out tool which was launched in October 2021. We are committed to raising awareness and understanding of this anonymous reporting tool among staff and students to enable us to gain greater understanding of the prevalence and types of misconduct including sexual harassment, violence and bullying. Our goal is to ensure that RCSI provides a positive and safe educational and work culture for all.

Students and staff who wish to anonymously report Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, Discrimination, Hate Crime, Coercive Behaviour, Stalking, Assault, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, and Rape can find further information on the Speak Out website. 

Additional supports can be accessed at rcsi.speakout.ie/all-supports.

Access the HEA survey report on Student and Staff Experiences of Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment in Higher Education.