Irish Government Disavows Consent Ad Featuring Grandparents

A government-funded social media video from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) suggesting grandparents should ask for consent before hugging their grandchildren has been removed following a significant backlash.

The video, part of the DRCC's "We-Consent" campaign and funded by Ireland's Justice Department, depicted grandparents approaching a granddaughter who appeared uncomfortable with their advances. The clip concluded with the message, "Not everyone wants a hug. Even from the people who love them."

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan ordered the DRCC to take down the video, stating it did not represent the government's views and was "inappropriate and demeaning to grandparents." He emphasized that loving grandparents are a positive force in a child's life and that the campaign was counterproductive to the aim of understanding consent in sexual relationships.

The advert drew widespread ridicule and criticism from politicians and the public. Fine Gael Senator Gareth Scahill called it a "complete waste of resources" and questioned the messaging. Aontú TD Paul Lawless accused the government of having "utter contempt" for older people and called the ad a "shocking waste of taxpayers' money," arguing that it inaccurately equated familial affection with consent in sexual relations.

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill echoed that the video was inappropriate but clarified that it was not an official government campaign and did not reflect the government's stance. She stressed the importance of grandparents in a child's life and stated that no one in government had viewed or sanctioned the ad.

The DRCC explained that the video was based on feedback from consent workshops where participants shared experiences of feeling uncomfortable. They stated the "We-Consent" campaign is a long-term initiative focused on prevention and awareness of all forms of consent, and the video series was created with volunteers, reflecting common themes from the workshops.

However, the campaign's direction, particularly this specific video, was questioned by former Justice Minister Helen McEntee, who noted that while consent is vital, especially in the context of sexual violence, the focus should remain on supporting victims and survivors. She expressed doubt that encouraging grandparents to ask permission for hugs was a necessary priority.

The DRCC stated that the videos were produced at a low cost using volunteers and were not part of a government advertising campaign. They indicated an intention to review the videos and confirmed their removal from social media channels to facilitate this review. The campaign itself is a three-year initiative aimed at informing and engaging the public about consent.