Irish people more aware of consent, but young men worryingly 'unsure’ of meaning & practice

27 August 2025

We Consent Benchmark research 2025

New research from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s We-Consent campaign shows strong need for ongoing whole-of-society education on consent and need for men to play central role in changing Ireland’s culture around consent 

Despite growing public awareness around sexual consent, new research from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) reveals persistent myths, misunderstandings, and troubling attitudes - particularly among younger men. 

Launched today (Thursday 28 August) as part of DRCC’s national We-Consent campaign, the research shows that while most people believe they personally understand consent, many still hold beliefs that undermine it in practice. 

Key findings include: 

  • 93% of people in Ireland say they understand issues around lack of consent, yet they believe only 62% of the general population share that understanding. 
  • Young men aged 18-24 are the least confident, with 16% unsure what consent means. 
  • Almost half (47%) of the population want to know more about consent. 
  • Nearly 1 in 4 men under 45 (23%) say they would “probably keep going” even if they suspected their partner isn’t enjoying a sexual encounter – up 3% since 2024.  
  • 27% agree that “sometimes people say no when they want convincing,” However, 43% of men under 45 hold this belief - up 8% since January 2024. 
  • 1 in 10 men agree that “willingness can be assumed because there is no clear objection.” 
  • 90% agree everyone has the right to change their mind at any point during a sexual encounter, up 2% since 2024. 
  • 76% agree that “I am comfortable having consent conversations with my friends” - which lowers to 64% of men aged 35-54.  
  • 87% agree that “It is up to parents to ensure their children understand consent” - a view most strongly held by those over 55. 
  • 69% agree that “It is up to schools to ensure young people understand consent” - a view most strongly held by women under 35. 

Rachel Morrogh, Chief Executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said: 

“Young men aged 18 to 24 are the least confident in their understanding of consent, with 16% unsure what it means. While surprising given their recent school experience, the updated SPHE curriculum with its stronger focus on consent education is still being embedded, so its full impact remains to be seen. 

“Encouragingly, this uncertainty may reflect greater awareness of the complexity of consent. Unlike previous generations who just assumed they understood consent, today’s young men are more exposed to its nuances – such as ongoing consent, non-verbal cues, power dynamics - and may just be more honest about their confusion. 

“This openness signals deeper engagement and real learning. It also highlights the need for ongoing education beyond school, helping young people build confidence as they navigate more complex relationships.” 

The research also highlights concern that nearly one in four men under 45 would “probably keep going” despite suspecting their partner isn’t enjoying a sexual encounter. Most worryingly, agreement with this statement has risen by 3% within this age group since 2024’s research. This points to a fundamental misunderstanding of consent as an ongoing process that requires active listening and respect. Such attitudes risk normalising pressure and boundary violations, which can cause often lifetime harm and trauma. 

Sarah Monaghan, We-Consent Manager, said: 

“Some 43% of men aged under 45 believe the harmful myth that ‘sometimes people say no when they want convincing.’ Alarmingly, this is up 8% since our last survey in January 2024, showing that regressive narratives about masculinity, sex, and power are not only persisting, but may be gaining ground. 

“This belief is deeply rooted in decades of cultural messaging, from film and television to advertising and romantic literature, that casts men as pursuers who must persist and ‘win over’ reluctant partners. For generations, the idea that ‘no’ actually means ‘try harder’ has been romanticised, but in reality, it’s a dangerous distortion. 

“We need to unlearn the idea that consent means convincing someone to say yes. Real consent is about mutual enthusiasm and respect - not pressure or persistence.” 

The research also found that 84% of respondents feel comfortable having consent conversations with partners, but this drops to 66% among young men aged 18-24. While 69% believe schools play a key role in consent education, 87% place responsibility on parents - signalling that efforts must extend across families, schools, communities, and media. 

Ms Morrogh concluded: “Despite persistent myths, the research reveals a clear appetite for learning and growth, emphasising the importance of continued education and open dialogue to foster a culture of enthusiastic and respectful consent.” 

Visit We-Consent.ie for more information and resources.  

Call 24-hour National Helpline 1800 778888 for free & confidential support.  

/ENDS  

Notes for Editors: 

  1. Research was undertaken by Opinions Research and creative agency Language in April 2025. Research was undertaken via an online omnibus survey with a nationally representative sample of 973 adults in Ireland.  
  2. You can download a graphic of the research findings at: https://www.drcc.ie/assets/files/pdf/we_consent_benchmark_research_2025.pdf 
  3. Consent is a freely given, voluntary agreement between people that allows each individual to decide what they want and do not want and to have that respected. 
  4. We-Consent is a project of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, a non-governmental, voluntary organisation which has as its mission to prevent harm and heal the trauma of rape. DRCC offers a suite of services to victims/survivors of sexual violence. It also offers a wide range of training and education to professionals and volunteers. 
  5. We-Consent is supported by Cuan and Community Foundation for Ireland.  
  6. You can donate towards Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s work on www.drcc.ie/donate  
  7. Other DRCC services and work:  
  • DRCC operates the National 24-hour Helpline 1800 778888 to support anyone affected by sexual violence in any part of the country.  
    A webchat support service is available online at drcc.ie Mon-Fri, 10:00-17:00, and Tues & Weds 00:00-3:00.  
    A Helpline Interpreting Service is available for those who do not speak English - more at https://bit.ly/DRCClang  
  • For those contacting the Helpline who are deaf or hard of hearing, we provide a text service, operating Mon-Fri from 8am to 6:30pm, at 086-8238443. 
  • Information on your options after sexual violence is available for free online at any time at www.drcc.ie/fyw in the Finding Your Way after Sexual Violence guide. 
  • DRCC offers counselling & therapy to adult survivors of sexual violence and to older adolescents from 16 years of age with parental/guardian consent. 
  • We provide accompaniment support for the Rotunda Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, to Garda stations and to court or other such settings to people in Dublin and in surrounding areas, by arrangement.    
  • We have outreach satellite offices at Coolock, Dóchas Women’s Centre, Balbriggan & Tallaght. Access to these services must be arranged via the National Helpline 1800 778888 during working hours, Mon-Fri.    

8. We ask that when reporting on this topic, journalists should remember that discussions on sexual violence can trigger personal trauma in those receiving the information. Where possible, please make reference to the National 24-hour Helpline 1800 77 88 88 for anyone who may be affected by the discussion.