The Minister for Further and Higher Education has said third level institutions must implement a "zero tolerance policy" in relation to sexual violence and harassment.
Simon Harris was speaking ahead of his meeting with the National Advisory Committee (NAC) at Dublin Castle to discuss tackling sexual harassment and violence in third level education.
He said the issue of consent is an "epidemic" in Ireland.
Now is the time to get serious about sexual violence and harassment at Ireland's third level institutions, and to "take action".
The minister is calling on all third level institutions to publish an action plan on how they are going to create a culture of zero tolerance on sexual violence and harassment.
He said he has mandated the Higher Education Authority to monitor the implementation of institutions' framework on consent, and to publish their progress.
Minister @SimonHarrisTD is today meeting the National Advisory Committee on sexual harrassment and consent. The committee is chaired by @NWCI.
— Department of Further and Higher Education (@DeptofFHed) July 27, 2020
Read the speech from Minister Harris here: https://t.co/FjSsiVzF6U pic.twitter.com/khQWD0LYIH
The department will carry out an annual national survey of staff and students to monitor the experiences of students and staff.
The minister also said he will commission research to be able to capture more data on sexual harassment at third level institutions.
He said there must be consistency across the country.
"You cannot accept that wherever you go there will be a different approach to sexual violence.
"The best practice has to be the only practice and this must become the national norm. There can be no place for autonomy when it comes to the safety and protection of women and men from sexual harassment," he said.
Underreporting a 'huge' issue
The Minister's strategy was further echoed by the Chief Executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre who said leadership in Ireland's third level institutions need to implement zero tolerance policies in relation to sexual violence and harassment.
Noeline Blackwell was speaking on RTÉ's News at One where she said universities will need highly trained resources to be able to hear disclosures from any person who experiences sexual harassment in relation to college activity.
There is a huge issue of underreporting, Ms Blackwell said, "as it is very hard to report abuse to someone who has power over you, or who is a student of yours".
"It was suggested that there should be specialist in each university, a welfare officers that is trained to hear disclosures of abuse and harassment, and propose a variety of solutions, whether that be referral to us, or to the gardaí."
Ms Blackwell said a zero tolerance policy must go beyond the physical campus, for students and staff, especially as it appears that blended learning will be in place in the months ahead.
