In brief
An ad from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) that showed grandparents hugging a child was pulled after backlash from the Irish Justice Minister who called it “inappropriate and demeaning to grandparents”. The clip, part of the DRCC’s “We‑Consent” campaign, aimed to teach people about consent but was criticised for misrepresenting boundaries. Fianna Fáil minister Jim O’Callaghan confirmed the video was removed and that it does not reflect government views. Opposition Senator Gareth Scahill said the public money used to fund the clip was wasteful and potentially offensive. The DRCC has vowed to review the content and the campaign is backed by the Departments of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and CUAN.
Irish Justice Minister Adam Mandeville slammed an ad produced by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) as "inappropriate and demeaning to grandparents" and called for its immediate removal.
The clip, part of the DRCC’s "We‑Consent" campaign, shows two elderly parents eagerly hugging a young boy. The second half portrays a girl who looks unhappy as her grandparents approach, underscored by the message "not everyone wants a hug. Even from the people who love them".
The video, which attracted criticism on social media and was covered internationally, has since been taken down. Fianna Fáil minister Jim O’Callaghan, whose department funds the campaign, confirmed that the clip was removed after engagement with DRCC officials and that it does not represent government views.
"It was both inappropriate and demeaning to grandparents and has been removed by DRCC following engagement with my officials," O’Callaghan said in a statement to RTÉ.
Opposition Senator Gareth Scahill criticized the use of public funds for the advert, describing it as "a waste of resources" and "potentially damaging to our older population".
The DRCC explained that the "We‑Consent" initiative is a long‑term, low‑cost program designed to promote respect for personal boundaries from an early age. It is supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and CUAN, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender‑Based Violence Agency.
The ads are being removed from social media channels while DRCC reflects on their impact. The Department of Justice confirms the programme is not part of a government advertising campaign and is conducting a review of the content.
