Trigger warning: This article discusses sexual assault and violence
Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) have released a statement apologising for this week’s actions which saw effigies hung outside of the junior dean’s office, the Arts Building and the Hamilton.
In its first statement to express regret since the beginning of the campaign earlier this week, the union said it had been in contact with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC), Women’s Aid, and the Student Counselling Service, inviting them to signpost their services on campus.
It also committed to hosting a town hall meeting next week “to ensure that we can learn from our mistakes, and ensure that future campaigns and actions are shaped by the voices and experiences of our members”.
“We, TCDSU/AMLCT, are so deeply sorry for the distress and harm caused by the Union’s actions this week”, read the statement which was posted to the TCDSU Instagram.
“The campaign’s use of graphic imagery, effigies, and confrontational language – such as comments about STEM students – was inappropriate and deeply hurtful, especially to survivors of sexual violence”.
In a group chat set up for the purpose of the campaign, TCDSU Welfare and Equality Officer Hamza Bana had written “historically STEM degrees are male dominant and are more likely to be perpetrators of gender based violence” prior to the demonstration outside of the Hamilton.
The statement continued by saying “the harm caused by the breach of trust” which occurred when anonymous notes from students were stuck outside of the Junior Dean’s office without permission had been recognised.
“We misstepped, and misjudged, and in doing so, retraumatised so many of our members, and we are unequivocally sorry for this. Our aim moving forward is to rebuild trust through accountability and action.”
“We want to reaffirm our commitment to supporting survivors”, it continued, saying the union has invited the DRCC, Women’s Aid, and the Student Counselling Service to campus next week to offer support to students who have been affected by this week’s demonstrations.
They statement concluded with a commitment to host a town hall meeting for members on the topic of the campaign, with a view towards learning from the “mistakes” of this week.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is available to contact through its 24-hour helpline at 1800 77 8888 for anyone affected by issues related to sexual violence or any other subject matter discussed in this article.
