By Monika Janas A couple of teenagers of the opposite sex had their wrists taped together with sticky tape. The sticky tape was then ripped away and the same piece of tape was used to connect the boy with another girl. It was then ripped away again. This is a technique used by a Catholic youth group, Pure Heart Ireland, to “show” what happens if a person has more than one sexual partner. This scare tactic should have place in the 21st century, yet it is appearing in Catholic schools throughout the state. Abstinence talks like the one described above, close off the discussion on consent which is crucial …

By Stephanie Rary Thousands of people have taken to the streets across the Spanish state protesting against new legislation governing abortion that represents a huge step backwards for women. Before 2010, Spain was part of a handful of countries in Europe where abortion was not recognised as a basic right. This changed with legalisation passed under the government of Zapatero. That law provided for the right for a woman to access an abortion up to 14 weeks, or up to 22 weeks, if the mother’s health was at risk or the foetus showed signs of …

  EU survey exposes extent of gender violence One in three women experienced physical / sexual abuse since 15 In  a week in which the depth of gender-based violence within the European Union has been exposed, a range of groups, including the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), the Abortion Rights Campaign, Action for Choice and ROSA  will gather tomorrow (March 8 – International Women’s Day) at 1pm at the Central Bank, on Dame Street to restate our opposition to violence against women. Laura Fitzgerald, ROSA, said: “This largest ever study on violence against women …