Minister Simon Harris Publishes Sexual Violence And Harassment Implementation Plan.

The Minister outlined details of an additional €1.5 million of supports secured in Budget 2023.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and Wicklow TD, Simon Harris, has today launched a new implementation plan to address issues regarding sexual violence and harassment in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

The new Implementation Plan, which covers the 2022 – 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 Ireland's HEIs.

In launching the new implementation plan, the Minister outlined details of an additional €1.5 million of supports secured in Budget 2023.

The new funding will support the appointment of Sexual Violence and Harassment (SVH) Prevention and Response Managers in Higher Education Institutions.

Speaking today, the Minister said:

“I have been very clear that the tertiary education and training sector must lead the way in changing cultures, behaviours and practices across society to ensure that sexual violence and harassment are not tolerated.

“There is a particular responsibility on those charged with educating the next generation in ensuring that their students and learners are equipped to lead the change more widely across society.

“The additional funding is essential to ensuring we have the right people driving these changes. The €1.5 million will allow us to appoint Sexual Violence and Harassment (SVH) Prevention and Response Managers in our HEIs and lead on the important changes we are making.”

The implementation plan was developed in close consultation with the HEA Advisory Group on Ending Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment in HEIs. It represents a response to the recommendations contained in the survey reports. The 19 actions in the implementation plan will be delivered between 2022 and 2024.

Among the recommendations are the potential to embed educational programmes in the curriculum and undertaking a study following the victim’s journey from disclosure to outcome.

Minister Harris said:

“To manage the implementation of institutional consent programmes and to engage appropriately with internal and external stakeholders, we need to resource our institutions. This new funding will further enhance the capabilities of our higher education institutes to support the Government’s zero tolerance approach to all forms of sexual violence and harassment.

“I want to thank Dr Ross Woods and Tim Conlon and the leadership of the HEA for driving this change.”

CEO of the Higher Education Authority, Dr Alan Wall, said: 

“Not only will the delivery of the implementation plan to end sexual violence and sexual harassment in HEIs support the achievement of our vision of an institutional campus culture which is safe, respectful and supportive, it will contribute towards a culture shift in higher education that has the potential to catalyse transformative change in our wider society.”