TU Dublin Becomes First University to Sign Zero Tolerance Pledge
TU Dublin has become the first university in Ireland to publicly commit to the Zero Tolerance Pledge, a community-led initiative in Dublin's Inner City that declares violence against women is not tolerated within participating organisations or on their premises. The University signed the pledge at a special event on campus, attended by Mary Lou McDonald TD, signalling its strong, proactive stance in creating safer environments for women and girls across its communities.
The pledge is part of a growing movement in Dublin‘s Inner City that calls on organisations to state clearly and publicly that they do not tolerate violence, harassment, or coercive control against women. Dozens of community groups, businesses, arts organisations and sports clubs have already joined the initiative, supported by people of all ages and backgrounds, from poets and musicians to filmmakers, athletes, and local residents. The campaign also includes distributing a Zero Tolerance badge and creating public artworks, with murals already completed on North King Street, Connolly Train Station and Dalymount Park in Dublin 7.
At TU Dublin, the campaign aligns closely with the University’s ongoing work to foster a culture of safety, respect, inclusion and active intervention. Speaking at the event, representatives emphasised the importance of community-based action in addressing the systemic issues that contribute to violence against women and others affected by coercive control. The campaign also acknowledges domestic abuse experienced within the LGBTI+ community and the often-underreported issue of violence perpetrated by women against men.
The event opened with a welcome from TU Dublin’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Manager, Catherine Bolger, followed by an address from Mary Lou McDonald TD, who outlined the ambition behind the Zero Tolerance campaign. Naomi Sebastine, President of the TU Dublin Students’ Union, spoke about the University’s ongoing support for students, including the Speak Out tool, which enables students and staff to report incidents of harassment, violence, discrimination or misconduct in a confidential and supportive environment. Speak Out: Student Ambassadors Elle Murray, Doireann Moroney, and Utibe Akpan, and a Transition Year student on work experience, Cian Rothwell, also shared their perspectives on how students can use the tool and why it is such an important resource.
The programme also featured contributions from creative communities within the University and locally. Dublin poet Emmet O’Brien performed an original piece in response to the campaign's themes, while TU Dublin music students – Rebecca Livingstone and Joanna Yusuf - delivered a powerful musical performance. Mary Lou McDonald TD closed the event by encouraging more organisations and communities to join the pledge and work collectively toward change.
By signing the Zero Tolerance Pledge, TU Dublin joins a growing coalition committed to challenging the attitudes and behaviours that enable violence and coercive control to persist. The University will display the pledge publicly across its campuses and continue to promote education, awareness, and support services that foster a culture where everyone - especially women and girls - can feel safe and be safe.
