Irish ad urging consent for grandparent hugs withdrawn after backlash

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 18:58 · Archive

A government-funded Irish campaign suggesting grandparents ask consent before hugging grandchildren has been deleted after criticism.

A public service announcement from We-Consent, a project of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, suggested grandparents should ask consent before hugging their grandchildren. The 25-second video, funded by Ireland's Justice Department and Department of Children, Disability and Equality, showed one grandchild happily embracing their grandparents whilst another appeared uncomfortable. The video's text stated: 'Not everyone wants a hug. Even from the people who love them.'

The campaign prompted immediate criticism from Irish officials and politicians. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan ordered the advertisement removed, saying it was 'both inappropriate and demeaning to grandparents'. He stated that loving grandparents in a child's life should be 'cherished and not something to be campaigned against'. Two other videos from the We-Consent campaign were also withdrawn.

Irish Councillor Gavin Pepper criticised the government and supporting organisations for 'losing the run of ourselves', describing the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren as 'one of the most important bonds in Irish family life'. Pepper acknowledged that children should learn about boundaries but argued 'a hug from a loving grandparent should not be presented as something strange or suspicious'. He called for 'a bit of common sense' in the debate.

How it is being reported

• Grandparents should ask for consent to hug their grandchildren, Irish advert saysA social media video from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre made the 'demeaning' suggestion, but has since been deleted after a storm of criticism.Daily Mail · 22 Oct, 18:40
• Irish pol calls for ‘common sense’ after gov-funded PSA calls for grandparents to get consent before hugging grandkids"A hug from a loving grandparent should not be presented as something strange or suspicious," Irish politican Gavin Pepper slammed.New York Post · 22 Oct, 03:43

In this story: We-Consent · Dublin Rape Crisis Centre · Gavin Pepper · Jim O'Callaghan · Ireland

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