From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on 18 October 2021
Last updated on 19 October 2021
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has today launched 'Speak Out - the Anonymous Violence and Harassment Reporting Tool' for higher education institutions.
Speak Out is an online and anonymous reporting platform for incidents of:
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
The project will be rolled out across 18 higher education institutions throughout this academic year for students, staff and visitors. The Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland (PCHEI) is leading the project, and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is funding it. The HEA Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion has also supported the project.
The 2019 'Framework for Consent in Higher Education Institutions: Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive – Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions' outlined the need for data to be collected on the incidence rates of sexual harassment and violence across our higher education sector.
The data collected through this tool will be used to inform policy and targeted educational initiatives. It is the goal of PCHEI to provide a trauma-informed tool which will provide users with support services relevant to their experience.
This project is a ground-breaking initiative which is underpinned by an ethos of cross-institutional collaboration in response to such incidences within higher education institutions.
An online anonymous reporting tool – 'Report and Support' – is already in operation in University College Dublin, and UCD staff and students can access it.
Gertie Raftery, Chairperson of the PCHEI and Project Lead said:
USI Vice President for Welfare, Somhairle Brennan, said:
Dr Ross Woods, Director of the HEA Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, added:
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has today launched 'Speak Out - the Anonymous Violence and Harassment Reporting Tool' for higher education institutions.
Speak Out is an online and anonymous reporting platform for incidents of:
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
The project will be rolled out across 18 higher education institutions throughout this academic year for students, staff and visitors. The Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland (PCHEI) is leading the project, and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is funding it. The HEA Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion has also supported the project.
The 2019 'Framework for Consent in Higher Education Institutions: Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive – Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions' outlined the need for data to be collected on the incidence rates of sexual harassment and violence across our higher education sector.
The data collected through this tool will be used to inform policy and targeted educational initiatives. It is the goal of PCHEI to provide a trauma-informed tool which will provide users with support services relevant to their experience.
This project is a ground-breaking initiative which is underpinned by an ethos of cross-institutional collaboration in response to such incidences within higher education institutions.
An online anonymous reporting tool – 'Report and Support' – is already in operation in University College Dublin, and UCD staff and students can access it.
Gertie Raftery, Chairperson of the PCHEI and Project Lead said:
USI Vice President for Welfare, Somhairle Brennan, said:
Dr Ross Woods, Director of the HEA Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, added:
Notes
While a list of all available support services will be available prior to completing a report, the Speak Out system will use the answers given throughout the reporting process to provide a bespoke and tailored list of support services. This will allow users to easily find the support services which are most relevant to them and seek support if they wish to do so.
For media queries and interview opportunities please contact:
Gertie Raftery, Chair, Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland (PCHEI)
Rachel Skelly, Administrative Lead, Speak Out