A national campaign on consent begins today in an effort to start a conversation about sex and relationships. The 'We Consent' campaign will be run by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, and aims to "move the conversation" towards sexual equality. It will be funded by the Department of Justice and the Community Foundation Ireland.
Research undertaken by the DRCC last year showed that just over a fifth of people agreed with the statement that "sometimes people say 'no', when they want convincing".
33% agreed that having sex was just part of a long-term relationship.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the DRCC, positive values of consent can help reduce levels of sexual violence.
Noeline Blackwell said that a greater understanding will make society more equal, happier and healthier - as well as safer.
"Every one of us has capacity to learn more and do more when it comes to consent and this campaign will need every one of us to come on board to create a real shift in our society - not only for the next generation, but also for here and now," she said.
CEO of Community Foundation Ireland Denise Charlton noted it partnered with the DRCC two years ago in research which showed that 70% of people believed Ireland had a problem with consent.
She said the campaign would spark conversations in homes, workplaces, pubs and clubs "bringing a spotlight on an issue which has been ignored for too long".
'We Consent' will be launched by the Minister for Justice Simon Harris and will run for three years.
Ms Blackwell said a lot of work around consent is taking place in colleges around the country. At that level, a normality is coming into the discussions, she said. She said the We-Consent campaign has a minimum period of three years with resources to give people the opportunities to have open conversations because "consent looks a little bit different for everyone".
"Our aim is that over the course of each year, that a bigger percentage of the population will recognise this as something that's relevant to them, whether they're in a fleeting relationship, no relationship or a long term relationship, that it matters, that there is agreement, that there's consensus in sexual activity. And that that will make safer, happier, healthier relationships" .