In This Section
- Home
- About the EDI Office
- News & Events
- News Archive
- Events Archive
- Newsletters
- EDIB Calendar
- Publications
- EDI Training Hub
- UCC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework and Action Plan 2025-2028
- Governance and Oversight Committees
- Public Sector Duty
- Athena Swan
- Race Equality Action Plan
- LGBT+ Action Plan
- Accenture's Women on Walls
- Speak Out
- Gender Identity and Expression
- Funded Projects
- Staff Networks
- ESVH Hub
- University of Sanctuary
- EDI Data
Over 4,400 Students Receive Introduction to Consent and Bystander Intervention
More than 4,470 students have participated in consent, support awareness, and bystander intervention sessions at UCC so far this academic year, reflecting the University's ongoing commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive campus community. Delivered primarily through the 2026 Undergraduate Orientation Programme, the sessions reached approximately 3,450 first-year students, as well as international JYA (Junior Year Abroad) and Erasmus students.
In addition, UCC Club's Respect Officers, fourth year Pharmacy, Peer Support Leaders, and the Student Union participated in full Bystander Intervention workshop training. Student Community Support students received an information session on Bystander in advance of Freshers Week social events.
Nationally Recognised Programmes
The sessions bring together two nationally recognised initiatives. Students are first introduced to UCC's award-winning Bystander Intervention Programme, which was developed at UCC and equips participants with the confidence and practical skills to safely intervene in situations of concern. Building on this foundation, students then engage with Active*Consent, a consent education programme developed by colleagues at the University of Galway that promotes a shared understanding of consent, respectful relationships, how alcohol and drugs can affect consent, and personal boundaries. This training was also facilitated by our partnership with the Cork Sexual Violence Centre.
Together, the programmes help students understand consent, recognise their rights and responsibilities as members of the UCC community, and become familiar with the supports and resources available both on and off campus. Students are signposted to educational resources, and informed about disclosure options and specialist support services. Students are introduced to UCC's reporting pathways for sexual violence and informed about the supports available both within the University and across the wider Cork community.
Spiking in Ireland Campaign
This campaign is calling for stronger supports and measures to combat spiking through the introduction of standalone legislation, the development of accessible testing pathways and the provision of appropriate support services for those affected. Further information will be shared across campus during the academic year to help raise awareness of the campaign. To learn more, visit here.
The Speak Out Reporting Tool
Speak Out is an online and anonymous reporting tool for higher education institutions in Ireland. It provides a platform for UCC students and staff to voluntarily and anonymously report, in a safe and secure way, incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime, coercive behaviour or control, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape that you have either experienced or witnessed.
Reporting anonymously using Speak Out means that you will not be asked for your name or any other personal details about you or another person and the University will not take any specific action or commence any formal complaint process. However, we want to assure you that there is support available to you. To learn more, or to make a report, click here.