Orientation Week: Understanding Active Consent at Dublin City University
Orientation Week marks an exciting milestone as you start your journey at Dublin City University. While you discover the campus and meet new people, keeping everyone in our DCU community safe is a top priority.
Active consent is a vital part of a positive University experience.
Consent is OMFG - Ongoing, Mutual, Freely-Given.
Understanding Active Consent at University
Consent is a clear, free, and conscious agreement between people. It is never a one-time box to tick; it is an ongoing conversation that can be withdrawn at any moment.
To practice active consent effectively, remember these core principles:
Ongoing: Consent is not a single, one-time yes. It can be checked, confirmed, or withdrawn at any point during sexual activity.
Mutual: All people involved must actively agree. Silence, a lack of resistance, or not saying "no" does not equal consent.
Freely given: Agreement must be given without pressure, force, coercion, or being heavily impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Reversible: Anyone can change their mind at any point, and that choice must be respected
Accessing Support and Resources at DCU
You are never on your own if you or a friend experiences an uncomfortable situation. The University offers dedicated, confidential resources to support you. Please read the full details of supports and procedures outlined in Student Policies.
DCU Counselling Service: Professional support staff offer free, confidential counselling sessions on all campuses.
Anonymous Reporting: Report the incident anonymously using the Speak Out online tool.
Initial Disclosure: Make a confidential initial disclosure to a trained member of university staff (such as a Sexual Misconduct Adviser) to receive guidance and support without triggering any automatic formal investigation.
Informal Resolution: Attempt to resolve the issue directly by speaking with the individual concerned or by requesting a facilitated discussion/mediation through a Sexual Misconduct Adviser.
Formal Complaint to the University: Submit a formal written report to the Secretary of the Disciplinary Committee to initiate an internal investigation by the University Disciplinary Committee.
Report to An Garda Síochána: File a criminal report with law enforcement (which can be done independently or alongside an internal university complaint, with support from DCU's Garda Liaison Officer).