Dr Louise Crowley, a law lecturer at University College Cork, has developed a bystander intervention programme for third-level students - it is available online to all UCC students since last week - and is now delivering a modified version for use in second-level schools. 

An online education programme aimed at building a culture of zero tolerance toward sexual harassment and violence has been launched by University College Cork.

Transition year schools will have access to sexual consent workshops and classes under a new national initiative.

A culture of zero tolerance to verbal or physical sexual harrassment is to be encouraged at one of the country’s largest universities by the expansion of an intervention programme to all 22,000 students.

University College Cork students will unveil a mural on Monday calling for an end to sexual violence and harassment in third-level institutions. It is part of a campaign by the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) to create a culture of zero tolerance towards such behaviours.

Students at University College Cork will be taught how to intervene if they witness sexual harassment or violence. The “bystander intervention programme”, to be started next week, is designed to “build a culture of zero tolerance to prevent and combat sexual harassment and violence” and “everyday sexism” on and off campus.