An image of a poster with the slogan 'always ask consent' printed on it

Bystander Intervention Programme


UCC's Bystander Intervention programme provides training and other resources on how to step in, speak up and support others in situations of sexual misconduct and sexual violence. Available to all UCC students and staff, and for a fee, to external users, the training includes everything from definitions, scenarios, role-plays, questions, action steps and resources to equip you with knowledge and skills to SAFELY intervene in instances of harmful or violent words, actions or behaviours.


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Bystander Intervention: A Quick Guide - Video


How can I be an effective Bystander?
Watch this quick guide to the Bystander Intervention programme at UCC!


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Become a UCC Bystander Ambassador


By becoming a UCC Bystander Ambassador, you’ll be advocating for a world free from sexual violence and gender inequalities. Get involved in our events, let us know your ideas, contribute to critical and inclusive debate, take action, and spread the word, whether it’s with your pen or your voice, you are very welcome!


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Participant Reflections

I felt empowered, even in the minutes following my workshops, to be better than I was before I began.

Laura, BA Applied Psychology student, UCC

Through the bystander programme, I really noticed how consent… is really a collective social responsibility that everyone has to buy into so that you can make the campus a safer a place.

Maeve, BA (Politics and English) student, UCC

Staff have a unique opportunity in the community to make decisions which will be in the best interest of our students, peers, members of our community.

Eleanor Donoghue, Head of Career Services, UCC

This course not only personally helped me but it gave me the skills to handle certain situations safely over Freshers’ and RAG Week with the Student Community Support.

Saoirse, BMus student, UCC

One of the things that really stood out to me all the way through the workshops was the idea that although we may feel like we are the only ones who care, that is not the case.

Student

Victims are often unsure to reveal details about their domestic violence...scared about the direct consequences (e.g. losing the partner/perpetrator) or being embarrassed of being not taken seriously.

Staff member

I want to spread awareness of how easy it can be to help someone out of a difficult situation and to show the importance of early intervention.

Student

All we need is for one person to stand up and say something, and the others will follow.

Student

Nobody should have the right to think they are better or more powerful because of anatomy. Nobody should have to die because of an unfortunate gender lottery.

Staff member

News

24 Feb 2023

New, staff-focused, Bystander Intervention Programme to launch next week

The award-nominated UCC Bystander Intervention Programme will launch a new version of the course, aimed at staff, on Thursday. Shortlisted for the Outstanding Support for Students Award in the prestigious 2022 Times Higher Education Awards, Bystander Intervention has been rolled out at third-level institutions across Ireland since its inception here at UCC. Led by Professor Louise Crowley of the UCC School of Law, the programme has featured in across the media in national discussions on consent and harassment. This new programme will launch at 11.30am on Thursday, March 2 at the G.27 (Seminar Room) in the O'Rahilly Building and will feature a speech from Prof. Crowley as well as a Q&A session with staff who have completed the programme.
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19 Dec 2022

UCC Bystander Intervention Jan-Oct 2022 Newsletter

The UCC Bystander Intervention Newsletter for January to October 2022 has been released. Click the following link to read: 
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23 Mar 2022

IADT launch 'Moving Parts', a creative response to consent and bystander awareness programmes.

IADT are delighted to formally launch Moving Parts - a series of new short animated and motion graphic videos tackling the topic of consent and telling the stories of survivors of sexual violence and image-based abuse.    Created by IADT Animation students and graduates, Moving Parts was developed in collaboration with NUI Galway’s Active* Consent Programme and UCC’s Bystander Intervention Programme.   These powerful videos are a creative response to the key messages that these two important programmes highlight and aim to bring awareness of these issues to a wider audience.   Moving Parts Animations Playlist
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23 Mar 2022

Gluaiseacht na gCodanna seolta ag IADT, freagra cruthaitheach ar chláir um thoiliú agus idirghábháil na bhféachadóirí.

Cúis áthais do IADT Gluaiseacht na gCodanna a sheoladh go foirmiúil - sraith gearrbheochaintí agus físeán grafach ina dtéitear i ngleic le toiliú agus ina n-insítear scéalta ó dhaoine a tháinig slán ó fhoréigean gnéis agus mí-úsáid de dheasca íomhánna.  
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