Addressing the Epidemic of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Ireland through Early Education
The Taoiseach’s recent declaration of an “epidemic” of sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland highlights a pressing and pervasive issue within society. The reality of this crisis has been brought into sharp focus by recent high-profile cases, including the tragic stories of Natasha O’Brien and Bláthnaid Raleigh. These incidents not only highlight the individual traumas endured but also the entrenched cultural attitudes that perpetuate such violence. While significant legislative strides have been made, such as criminalising stalking and strangulation, it is evident that a much deeper and more proactive approach is required—one that begins with educating our young men early.
Why do we wait to react only when a scandal breaks or a life is tragically lost? The reactive nature of our current system is failing to prevent these atrocities. Instead of waiting for the next tragic headline, we must implement proactive measures that target the root causes of this violence. Education is paramount in reshaping societal attitudes and behaviours from an early age, ensuring that respect, consent, and equality are ingrained in our young men.
The Importance of Early Education
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has rightly identified that a “generational change” in attitudes is necessary. This change can only be achieved through a sustained and comprehensive educational approach. By integrating topics of respect, consent, and gender equality into the school curriculum, we can begin to dismantle the toxic attitudes that contribute to gender-based violence. Education from an early age will instil values that challenge misogyny and promote healthy, respectful relationships.
The current system’s deficiencies in addressing sexual and gender-based violence are stark. Labour leader Ivana Bacik and Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon have highlighted the absence of effective sex and relationships education in schools and the lack of sufficient counselling supports to address existing trauma and combat toxic cultures. This gap in education not only leaves young people unprepared to navigate relationships healthily but also allows harmful attitudes to fester unchecked.
Proactive Versus Reactive Approaches
Historically, societal responses to gender-based violence have been predominantly reactive. It often takes a high-profile case or public outcry to spur action. This reactive stance is inadequate, it places the onus on victims to come forward and endure a retraumatising legal process. It perpetuates a culture where preventative measures are sidelined in favour of post-incident responses.
A proactive approach, centred on education, shifts the focus from merely responding to incidents of violence to preventing them altogether. By teaching young men about consent, respect, and equality, we can challenge the harmful stereotypes and behaviours that lead to violence. This education should not be a one-time lesson, but an ongoing dialogue integrated into the fabric of the educational system.
Demanding More and Doing Better
As a society, we must demand more from our institutions and ourselves. It is not enough to enact laws and hope they suffice. Real change requires a cultural shift, one that starts with how we educate our young people. The zero-tolerance strategy on gender-based and sexual violence, as advocated by the Taoiseach, must extend beyond legal frameworks to include comprehensive educational reforms.
Organisations and individuals across all sectors of society must take responsibility for challenging and changing the narratives that enable gender-based violence. This includes calling out misogyny wherever it is encountered, from casual conversations to media representations. The judiciary, too, must reflect this zero-tolerance stance, ensuring that justice is not only served but seen to be served, without retraumatising victims.
Building a Supportive Infrastructure
In addition to education, there must be a robust support infrastructure for those affected by gender-based violence. The establishment of Special Protective Services Units and the implementation of registered intermediaries in courts are steps in the right direction. However, more must be done to ensure that victims have access to the necessary resources and support.
The lack of refuges for women fleeing abuse in nine counties in Ireland is a glaring deficiency that must be addressed. Women must have access to safe housing regardless of their location, and funding for support agencies like Cuan must be steady and reliable.
The epidemic of sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland demands a proactive and comprehensive response. Education is the most effective tool in fostering a generational change in attitudes towards gender and violence. By teaching young men about respect, consent, and equality from an early age, we can prevent the perpetuation of harmful behaviours and attitudes.
It is time to stop waiting for the next scandal or tragedy to prompt action. We must demand more from our educational systems, our institutions, and ourselves. Only through a concerted, proactive effort can we hope to eradicate the epidemic of gender-based violence and build a society rooted in respect and equality.
If you have experienced any form of abuse, coercive control, violence, or sexual violence, please reach out to the following …
Rape Crisis Centre – call 1800 77 8888
Women’s Aid – call 1800 341 900
An Garda Siochana – call 999 / 112
