From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD, today addressed the Symposium on the Impact of Domestic Abuse and Coercive control in the Millennium Theatre, TUS Limerick Campus.
The focus of the symposium is to highlight the impact of the accredited continuous professional development Haven Horizons/TUS Level 6 training programme ‘Certificate in Reflecting on and Responding to Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control’ which is delivered through the Flexible Learning Department in TUS. The professional development training was created by Haven Horizons in partnership with the Technological University of Shannon (TUS) for personnel in frontline services that deal with domestic abuse, and anyone whose work or volunteering will bring them into contact with victims or perpetrators of domestic abuse and coercive control.
Speaking today, Minister O’Donovan said:
‘I want to acknowledge the work that has gone into implementing this Haven Horizons/TUS Level 6 training programme - ‘Reflecting on and Responding to Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control’. This initiative has resulted in many first responders being trained in responding to domestic and sexual violence. Having the expertise needed to recognise the signs of abuse, understand the dynamics of coercive control, and provide support that can literally change and save lives.’
The Minister continued:
‘Domestic abuse and coercive control are deep societal issues affecting people from all backgrounds, from all communities. Unfortunately, it is an aspect of everyday lives that often remains hidden from view or detection.’
The Minister concluded:
‘My own Department has taken a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. I want to commend the work has been ongoing to effect this societal change in third level education.
I am pleased that 17 Sexual Violence and Harassment Prevention and Response Managers will be appointed to strengthen our higher education institutions and support the Government’s zero tolerance policy on sexual violence and harassment. Most of these managers are already hired, and the rest are in the process of being recruited’.
Haven Horizons , (established in 2015), focuses on the individual, family, community and societal changes necessary for the elimination of relationship abuse and the associated gender inequalities. Key activities include research, education and training, systems change work, prevention strategies and piloting evidence-based models of good practice and collaborative partnerships.
Third National Strategy (TNS) on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The Government published the Zero Tolerance strategy in June 2022. Led by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, it is an ambitious 5-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept domestic, sexual and gender-based violence or the attitudes which underpin it.
DFHERIS Implementation plan to address issues regarding sexual violence and harassment in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
On the 13th October 2022, the Minister for FHERIS launched a new implementation plan to address issues regarding sexual violence and harassment in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The Implementation Plan which covers the 2022 to 2024 period, builds upon and complements the wide range of initiatives currently in place to support a zero tolerance approach to issues of sexual violence and harassment in our HEIs.
In launching the new implementation plan, details of an additional €1.5 million of supports secured in Budget 2023 were also announced to support the appointment of 17 Sexual Violence and Harassment (SVH) Prevention and Response Managers in HEIs.
Other initiatives to address regarding sexual violence and harassment in Higher Education Institutions
Active Consent and Bystander Programmes:
The Active* Consent initiative is jointly supported by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science and the Department of Justice. Funding for the programme has come from the Dormant Accounts Fund. The Active* Consent programme at the University of Galway has been working in the area of education and research on sexual consent since 2013 and began the Active* Consent programme in 2019 working with higher education institutions, schools and sports organisations. The programme has now expanded into Further Education in ETBs nationally to build capacity, through staff training and briefing sessions and by providing support for learner engagement with information on consent.