FIRST-YEAR Law students entering UCC this September will undertake a new course on sexual consent and respect.
The students will be the first to take on the pioneering new five-credit module that will be rolled out to all first-year students from next year if it proves to be successful.
The module is being rolled out in the wake of high-profile incidents of sexual assault in college campuses in the US such as the Brock Turner rape case at Stanford University.
The module will see students discuss issues surrounding rape, sexual assault and consent in a classroom situation.
The theory behind the course, which is the first of its kind in an Irish third level institution, is to teach people to call out unacceptable behaviours in an effort to alter social norms.
Katie Quinlan, outgoing Students’ Union Welfare Officer, said that the module, which has proven successful in UK universities is badly needed.
“When I was being trained up for this job last year I don’t think I ever fully believed I would have students telling me they had been raped.
“The first time it happened was during Fresher’s Week and we both just cried in my office. What shocked me most was how much she questioned herself. Throughout the year the girls I spoke to were all so ashamed and ready to blame themselves. There really was a lack of understanding about the whole issue of consent.”
When Ms Quinlan was herself assaulted, she grew even more resolute to push for the introduction of a course of this type.
“I was assaulted in a pub after Christmas when a guy stuck his face in my chest and was struck with all the same feelings. Was it my fault? Should I have worn a different top?”
160 first year Law students will take the class in addition to their other modules and will have to attend at least 50% of the classes in order to pass. If successful, the course will be rolled out to all incoming first years across the university next year.
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