# Dublin Rape Crisis Centre consent campaign controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dublin-rape-crisis-centre-consent-campaign-controversy
> Updated: 2026-10-24T01:40:32.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) removed video advertisements from its ‘We-Consent’ campaign following public and political backlash. The 25-second ads depicted a young person appearing uncomfortable with an embrace from grandparents, accompanied by the message: ‘Not everyone wants a hug. Even from the people who love them.’

Irish Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan criticized the content, labeling it ‘both inappropriate and demeaning to grandparents’ and noting it did not represent government views, despite the campaign receiving funding from the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality. Taoiseach Micheál Martin also supported the removal, noting that while the offense may not have been intentional, the advertisement was clearly inappropriate.

Critics and opposition politicians argued the campaign risked portraying familial affection as suspicious and was a waste of resources. While the DRCC stated the videos were based on feedback from consent workshops, the organization removed them from social media to prevent the controversy from distracting from its mission. The actress featured in the clip, Mollie Lou Kelty, expressed shock at the removal and defended the intent of the message as raising awareness about personal boundaries.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-24: Dublin Rape Crisis Centre pulls consent advertisement following backlash

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre removed a consent-themed advertisement after Irish officials and the public criticized it as demeaning to grandparents.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dublin-rape-crisis-centre-pulls-consent-advertisement-following-backlash

### 2026-10-21: Ireland pulls state-funded consent campaign video after backlash

Ireland's Justice Minister ordered the removal of a state-funded consent campaign video after it was criticized as “inappropriate and demeaning to grandparents” for depicting uncomfortable hugs.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ireland-government-funded-consent-campaign-sparks-controversy

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Cite as: Dublin Rape Crisis Centre consent campaign controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dublin-rape-crisis-centre-consent-campaign-controversy
