Irish government pulls ad after grandparents’ criticism
The Irish minister for justice has pulled a consent advert from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre after it attracted criticism for showing grandparents hugging a boy in a manner deemed demeaning. The clip, part of the We-Consent campaign, featured seniors enthusiastically hugging a child while a granddaughter appeared unhappy with the exchange. A message above read not everyone wants a hug even from those who love you.
Government response
The minister labelled the video inappropriate and said it did not advance the goal of teaching consent. He added that the ad was removed following engagement with the centre and that it does not represent the views of the government. A staffer for the justice department explained the campaign is an independent effort by the DRCC and is not financed by the state. The department said the videos are low‑cost and produced by volunteers.
Political reaction
Fine Gael senator Gareth Scahill accused the public money used for the clip of being wasted and potentially offensive to senior citizens. He warned more radical measures might be considered in the future to enforce consent at public places. The senator stressed the seriousness of sexual violence but argued the video was far off target.
Next steps for the campaign
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has committed to reviewing its videos and will remove them from social media during this process. The end‑to‑end campaign, supported by several government departments, aims to build awareness and practice of consent from an early age. All partners have been asked for comment.
Public and media attention
The clip has also been featured in international publications such as the New York Post, amplifying the backlash. Viewers on television and online forums debated the appropriateness of the advert. The Irish public continues to watch the ongoing development of the campaign and its future messaging.
