Sexual Consent

We want you to enjoy a positive culture that celebrates individuality and inclusivity

Student Life

ATU aims to provide an environment where there is equality of opportunity and respect and dignity for everyone. You are entitled to study in an environment free from bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment. As part of our positive and inclusive culture, we enthusiastically promote awareness around the issue of sexual consent.

A former GMIT Working Group on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Misconduct and Harassment was established in January 2021. This group has developed a four-year Action Plan which sets out institutional actions that will address sexual misconduct and harassment and outlines ATU's commitment to implementing the Consent Framework.

Members of this group include students, Student's Union representatives, academic, management, and support services staff.

What is Consent?

Consent is an agreement between all participants that they definitely want to have sex or participate in any sexual act. Consent should be clearly and freely communicated and must be continuous for the duration of sex.

During a sexual encounter, a person has the right to:

change their mind
say they don't want to do something
stop doing the sexual activity that has already begun

Consenting to one type of sexual activity with a partner does not mean you automatically consent to other sexual acts with them.

How do I learn more?

Understanding consent is extremely important for both you and your sexual partners. You can learn more and assist the conversation regarding consent by accessing the below resources.

Active Consent Classes

Active consent workshops for students are organised by Student Services and run by trained staff facilitators each semester. The Students Union will let you know the dates and times of these classes.

To organise a session for your class or group, email Student Services.

During Sexual Health and Guidance Week (SHAG), ATU host a range of active consent workshops and other events, including discussions with sex experts where the importance of consent is explored.

Sexual Consent Videos

If you are still unsure what consent means in a sexual relationship or encounter, these YouTube videos might help you understand more.

Cycling Through Consent

Consent 101

2 Minutes Will Change the Way You Think About Consent

Sexual Respect and Consent

Consent and the Law

Mutual consent is necessary when engaging in any sexual behaviour with another person.

Sex without consent is a sexual offence under the law.

The Sexual Offences Act 2017 states that:

(i) a person must be 17 years of age before being able to consent to engaging in a sexual act

(ii) it is a crime to engage in a sexual act with someone who has not, or cannot, give consent.

The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020:

Provides for offences relating to the recording, distribution or publication of intimate images
Provides for the anonymity of victims of those offences
Provides for an offence involving the distribution, publication or sending of threatening or grossly offensive communication

An Garda Síochána’s website provides details on:

The supports available to the victims of a sexual crime
What constitutes a sexual crime
How to report a sexual crime
What happens after you make a report

Speak Out

Speak Out is an online anonymous reporting tool to disclose incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime, coercive behaviour/control, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. The tool will help you find relevant supports and highlight formal reporting procedures, should you wish to use them.

Click here to access the Speak Out tool: https://gmit.speakout.ie/

Please only report one incident or series of related incidents at a time. This will help to ensure that we understand the nature of your experience. It is important to remember that as the tool is completely anonymous, we have no way to identify or make contact with any member of the college community.

Should you wish to report an incident formally, to the college, please visit the following pages:

If you are a student or member of staff and wish to report an incident, please visit https://gmit.speakout.ie/