Issuu

CIT Students’ Union Magazine Volume Twenty Two, Issue 2

*Sexual

S . H.A.G.

Health, Awareness & Guidance Campaign

19 - 21 October, 2020

WEBINARS

Details & Registration on page 9 • CIT Societies 2020 • Flynner’s Flying Column explores The Lee Valley • Competitions ... and much more

VALID NORTH MAIN ST. STORE ONLY Sun (10am) - Thur (4am) before 31st Dec ‘21 Not valid bank holiday weekend.

Your Union Your Voice

NORTH MAIN STREET (Off Washington Street) PEMBROKE STREET (Opp The G.P.O.) OLIVER PLUNKETT STREET (Opp USIT)

Student Accommodation Short term options Cork City B&B’s Sheila’s Hostel, Wellington Road

021 4505562

information@sheilashostel.ie

Killarney House B&B, Western Road

021 4270290

reception@killarneyhouse.com

Redclyffe B&B, Western Road

021 4273220

info@redclyffe.com

Anam Cara B&B, Western Road

085 8645216

anamcara2@ymail.com

Olde House B&B, Glasheen

021 6020886 denisleahy57@gmail.com

Cork City Hotels Metropole Hotel, McCurtain Street

021 4947541

phurley@trigonhotels.com

Ashley Hotel, Coburg Street

021 4501518

info@ashleyhotel.com

Maldron Hotel South Mall

021 203 7000 dmannion@maldronhotels.com

Maldron, Shandon

021 203 7000 reservations.shandon@maldronhotels.com

River Lee, Western Road

021 4937713 www.doylecollection.com/cork

Jury’s Inn, Andersons Quay

021 4943000 www.jurysinns.com

Kingsley Hotel, Sunday’s Well

021 4800500 reservations@thekingsley.ie

Suburbs Oriel House, Ballincollig 021 4208400 reservations@orielhouse.ie Cork International Hotel, Cork Airport 021 4947541 phurley@trigonhotels.com CIT Students’ Union, Bishopstown, Cork. Tel: 021 433 5274 Web: www.explicit.ie CITSU

CITSU

expliCIT Production, Design & Advertising Keith Brown, supublications@cit.ie CIT SU President Aisling O’Mahony supresident@cit.ie

VP Education Zack Nutchanat sueducation@cit.ie VP Welfare Cian O’Driscoll suwelfare@cit.ie Projects Officer Stephen Foley dg_citsu@cit.ie Communications Officer Niamh Cronin supublications@cit.ie Entertainments Officer Laura Callaghan Event@cit.ie Entertainments Manager Mick O’Mahony Event@cit.ie

Advertising Opportunities

CIT has 17,000+ full and part-time students with over 1,500 staff. Why not use expliCIT to promote your business to this large audience? Our copy deadlines, advertising rates and technical specifications are available from our website www.citsu.ie and upon request from the Publications Office in hardcopy or via email. expliCIT magazine is published monthly by CIT Students’ Union. The views expressed in the magazine are those of their authors and are not necessarily those of CIT Students’ Union. All articles and pictures are the property of their respective owners and should not be reproduced without their permission.

CONTENTS

5 SU OFFICERS 7 STUDENT LEAP CARD 8 RAG WEEK 2020 CHARITY GRAND TOTAL 9 S.H.A.G* CAMPAIGN WEBINARS TIMETABLE 10 S.H.A.G* MEDICAL FACTS 11 S.H.A.G* SEXUAL WELLBEING 12 WHAT IS CONSENT?

*Sexual

14 A GOOD START 16 SOCIETIES - ALL CONTACTS 18 FLYNNERS FLYING COLUMN 19 CORONAVIRUS PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGE 20 COMPETITIONS Enter online...WIN hard cash...simple!

S . H.A.G.

Health, Awareness & Guidance Campaign

19 - 21 October, 2020

Last issues winners: Kelvin Moynihan (Quiz), Minli Lyne (Suduko)

No Bias. No Judgement. No Exception.

A guide to navigating healthy relationships during the COVID-19 outbreak CLICK HERE

to read the guide to navigating healthy relationships during the COVID-19 outbreak

This guide, created in collaboration with Mr. Daniel Flynn (Principal Psychology Manager, HSE Cork South Mental Health Services), provides a toolkit to help you to maintain healthy relationships in the context of social distancing measures.

Like us:

The Sexual Health Centre Ltd.

facebook.com/citsu 16 Peters Street | Cork Follow | Ireland us:

Instagram:

www.sexualhealthcentre.com cit_su Snapchat: cit_su info@sexualhealthcentre.com 021 427 6676 Registered Charity No. CHY 19919

twitter.com/citsu www.citsu.ie 3

Students! It’s the start of a new college year and we don’t know about you, but we are buzzed about that. To mark the occasion, Vodafone X are giving you a pair of free Samsung Galaxy Wireless Earbuds with €139 when you switch to Vodafone X, now with Unlimited data! Get this exclusive student offer now because it won’t be around for long.

Fancy switching to Vodafone X? Switch here

WHAT’S THE CRAIC?

CIT SU updates

ello all again, we hope you are settling into the new Blended Learning approach. We know this is a difficult time and we thank you for bearing with us. As you know we are now in Level 3 and we hope you continue to abide by the guidelines.

SHAG (Sexual Health and Guidance): Sexual Health and Guidance peer led campaign will commence on Monday 19th October 2020 with an interactive series of webinars/workshops. We strongly encourage as many students as possible to get involved and to register for one or more of these events:

Monday 19th October, 12pm SUSAN WALSH, SEXUAL HEALTH CENTRE – PLEASURE, SEXUAL HEALTH INFORMATION & CONDOM USE!

Student Assistance Fund (SAF)/Laptop Scheme:

Tuesday 20th October, 1pm KONRAD IM, SEXUAL HEALTH CENTRE - LGBTI+ SEXUAL HEALTH & WELLBEING WEBINAR

The Student Assistance Fund Application is available to download online.

Tuesday 20th October, 12pm MARY CRILLY, SEXUAL VIOLENCE CENTRE, CORK – THE PREVALENCE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AMONG STUDENT COMMUNITIES (VICTIM BLAMING) Wednesday 21st October, 2pm SUSAN WALSH, SEXUAL HEALTH CENTRE - INTIMATE IMAGE ABUSE, CONSENT - THE IMPACT ON PEOPLE AND THE LAW To register for these webinars please email: event@cit.ie indicating which session, you are interested in. We look forward to engaging with you throughout this campaign.

http://www.mycit.ie/access_disability/student-assistance-fund/

Applications will be accepted between the following dates: Semester 1: 28 September – 4 December Please note that the SAF Application Form is only available online this academic year. No paper application forms are available due to COVID-19. Should you have any specific questions regarding a section of the form prior to submitting an application please email student.assistance@cit.ie Applications also now open for the Government Laptop Scheme to assist with online learning and can be made online through the Student Assistance Fund.

“ Applications also now open for the

Government Laptop Scheme to assist with online learning and can be made online through the Student Assistance Fund. ” http://www.mycit.ie/access_disability/student-assistance-fund/

Class Rep Elections and Training & Recruitment! In order that the right decisions are made, to benefit all, we need the voices of our students to be heard in the boardrooms! Class Reps are an integral element in the decisionmaking process of the college and the Students’ Union wants to ensure that our students are at the forefront of any decisions made. The Students’ Union needs Class Reps to act as the chief spokesperson for their class. One of the main duties of a Class Rep is to liaise with academic staff and report back to the SU Executive at Union Council Meeting regarding any issues, concerns or ideas that their class might have. Elections have been underway for the past number of weeks and it envisaged that most classes will have a Class Rep elected by at this stage. If your class hasn’t elected a Class Rep yet, please email Zack, sueducation@cit.ie for information and support. Due to these unprecedented tme, the Students’ Union asked course coordinators and other academic to facilitate Class Rep elections and they have been very supportive, and we are extremely grateful for this. It is an absolute privilege to be a Class Rep and there are many benefits such as standing out in future job interviews, enhancements of CV’s and learning new skills such as management, negotiations and so much more. Class Reps Training has been organised this year on a digital platform, which will run from November 2-4, 2020. Class Reps will get an email regarding their training day and how to register the coming week. We are all very excited about working with you all throughout the coming year.

Covid Craic As you might know we are now in LEVEL 3 of Lockdown! This is a gentle reminder to please follow the guidelines, limit your contacts and continue to wash your hands. You or your buddies might be returning home on the weekends to vulnerable family members. We don’t want any-

www.citsu.ie/forms/ClassRepReg

one to be put at risk. The Gardai have been in contact with CIT and CITSU to inform us that ‘Operation Fanacht’ is back in place with checkpoints focusing on supporting public compliance with the public health measures and staying in your own county unless necessary. Also, to inform us that any anti-social behaviour or lack of compliance with health guidelines won’t be tolerated. If students are found to be in breach of the guidelines the Gardaí have the power to confiscate CIT student ID’s. Once confiscated the ID’s will be handed by the Gardai to the College which will result in a Disciplinary Meeting. Nobody wants this mind yourself, your buddies your family and their families too by staying apart. We owe it to ourselves to pull through this hurdle together. The sooner we do so the sooner we get back to having all the craic in the world. Please respect your neighbours, the public, yourself and follow the rules.

Queries We have had queries on numerous items: • Lab-coats, goggles, LEAP Cards and stationary items are available to buy in the SU Office between 8.45am and 5.00pm (Mon – Thurs) and 8.45am – 4.30pm (Fri). • The Shop in the Student Centre is now closed. • Food Court (Canteen) is open 8.15am to 4.15pm (hot food available until 2.15pm, area closes at 3.00pm on Fridays). • Bistro (in Student Centre) opens 8.15am to 2.15pm. • Shop (across from Canteen) is open 8.45am to 4.00pm (closes at 1.45pm on Fridays). • Gym (Bishopstown Campus) is open for hourly slots that you must pre-book on their system. Yours sincerely, AISLING, CIAN & ZACK, YOUR SU EXECUTIVE

HOW TO GET YOUR

STUDENT LEAP CARD

Student Leap Card (SLC) offer students discounted travel on public transport services along with additional benefits. To find out if the card will be of benefit to you read more on www.studentleapcard.ie CIT students wishing to purchase a SLC must apply for the SLC online via mobile phone at:

www.studentleapcard.ie/applybymobile

Input your details, take your own photo, make the declaration, and agree to the privacy statement and terms & conditions. Once an application is made, you will receive a short code via email.

Email the code to: mella.leonard@cit.ie

You will then receive a response email informing you when your card is ready for collection. You can collect the card from Students' Union staff member at the Student Support Service Desk in the Student Centre (open from 10am 4pm, Monday to Friday). The card costs â‚Ź10. (Service only available to CIT Students)

CIT RAG WEEK 2020 GRAND TOTAL OF €6293.71 RAISED FOR CHARITY - THANK YOU!

he Students’ Union are delighted to announce that €6293.71 was raised during CIT Rag Week 2020. This is a phenomenal sum considering that many events and activities had to be curtailed due to the Covid 19 crisis. CIT Rag Week 2020 focused on homelessness and donations go to charities who do amazing work in this field. The main beneficiary is Edel House along with Cork Penny Dinners and Cork Stand Together. The success of CIT Rag Week 2020 is a result of the collaborative efforts of the Students’ Union, CIT Societies, Class Reps, Chaplaincy, Sports Office, Arts Office, AnSEO, the Registrar’s Office and, of course, individual staff and students.

Edel House - €4293.71

Edel House is perhaps the best known of Good Shepherd Cork’s projects and provides emergency accommodation for homeless women and children. In addition, their staff work with woman, empowering them to return to independent living as soon as possible. Edel House is the only homeless shelter in Cork that can admit and care for children. The family section can accommodate 10 families. They have recently begun work to extend and refurbish Edel House in order to improve accommodation for women and children who are homeless.

Cork Penney Dinners - €1000

Cork Penny Dinners serves up to 2000 freshly made meals per week at their premises. Their aims are simple - to help all who struggle and those in need. Cork Penny Dinners provide a hot nourishing meal of soup, main course, dessert and tea/coffee daily. In addition, sandwiches, biscuits, fruit and juice are also available to take away as an evening meal. Donations of warm clothes and bedding such as sleeping bags and duvets are also provided to people in need. There is always an open door and a warm welcome. Cork Penny Dinners are open 7 days a week all year round including Christmas Day.

* Cork Stand Together have requested that the money pledged to them is redistributed to the other two charities as, unfortunately, they are unable to operate at present due to Covid 19 and are keen to have the money put to immediate use. An additional €500 each has been transferred to Edel House and Cork Penny Dinners. 8

“ Thanks so much to all the

Students and Staff for their kind donations, it will be put to good use and we really appreciate the support ” Caitriona Twomey, Cork Penny Dinners

Cork Stand Together €1000 *

Cork Stand Together, is a group of people that have come together with the aim of helping Cork’s homeless. The group was set up by a number of CIT Social Care Students who have gone above and beyond by providing food and clothes and by treating homeless people with respect and dignity. They offer a listening ear and much needed conversation. Well done and sincere thanks to all involved, Vicky O’Sullivan CIT Students’ Union General Manager

*Sexual

S . H.A.G.

Health, Awareness & Guidance Campaign

19 - 21 October, 2020

WEBINARS

Monday 19th October, 12pm SUSAN WALSH, WALSH, Sexual Health Centre PLEASURE, SEXUAL HEALTH INFORMATION & CONDOM USE! Tuesday 20th October, 12pm Mary Crilly, Sexual Violence Centre The Prevalence of Sexual Violence among Student Communities (Victim Blaming) Tuesday 20th October, 1pm Konrad IM, Sexual Health Centre LGBTI+ Sexual Health & Wellbeing Webinar Wednesday 21st October, 2pm Click here for:

Susan Walsh, Sexual Health Centre Intimate Image Abuse, Consent The Impact on People and the Law

Click here for:

To register for these webinars... please email: event@cit.ie Indicate which session, you are interested in.

ARE YOU HAVING SEX? by HPSC up to week endA summary of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections reported 1,621 gonorrhoea infections, ing 10th October 2020 reported 5,145 chlamydia infections, 870 herpes simplex genital infections and 357 HIV infections. 15-24 years) and men who Two main groups that were affected were young people (aged have sex with men. In 2018, nearly half of all chlamydia, one third of gonorrhoea and in young people.

39% of herpes cases were

You can be exposed to infection by oral, vaginal or anal sex. d STIs can cause long-term It is possible to have a STI and not have symptoms. Undiagnose medical issues including infertility and chronic pain. It is recommended that if you are sexually active that you should

have a STI screen.

females this involves a throat For men this involves a throat swab, blood and urine test. For be included if you are having and vaginal swab, blood and urine test. A rectal swab would anal sex. STI screening is available by appointment and free of charge on CIT medical centre.

a Tuesday and Thursday in

ntment with the nursing or If you have any questions or concerns feel free to book an appoi medical staff in the medical centre.

THINK CONTRACEPTION… The CIT Medical Centre offers a full range of contraceptive options. Hormonal contraception for women varies from the pill to long acting contraception. New pill regimens have recently been intro duced that reduce the failure rate with the pill. Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) options include the subdermal implant (‘the bar’) and the progestogen - releasing and copper - containing intrauterine devices (‘the coil’). Such methods are more reliable and cost effective than pills or barriers. If you are interested in the new pill regimens or a LARC option, please contact our receptionist for an appointment.

BE PROTECTED… Always wear a condom. Correct and consistent use of condoms for vaginal, anal and oral sex will reduce the risk of catching and passing on an STI. Free condoms are available from the reception desk in the CIT Medical Centre, Student Centre and at the STI clinics. CIT Medical Centre, Student Centre Tel: 021 433 5780

*Sexual

S . H.A.G. *

Health, Awareness & Guidance Campaign

19 - 21 October, 2020

Click on the underlined copy links for more information

Sex and coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus. To help stop the spread of coronavirus, everyone has been asked to continue to follow the health advice on hse.ie. While there is no evidence that coronavirus can be sexually transmitted, it can be passed on through close contact with someone who has the virus. Remember: Proper hand washing, respiratory hygiene and physical distancing are even more important as coronavirus restrictions are eased. Don’t ignore or delay seeking medical advice if you have symptoms. Phone your GP or Out of Hours services to discuss. If you are feeling very unwell, phone 112 or 999.

Reduce the risk of coronavirus during sex

You may not know if someone has coronavirus. Being sexually active with another person involves some risk of coronavirus transmission, especially as some people may have no symptoms while they are infectious. You can reduce this risk by following the advice below. • Only be sexually active with a partner living in your household. • If you decide to be sexually active with someone living outside of your household, limit it to as few partners as possible, preferably one regular partner. • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after sexual activity. • Consider masturbation or remote sexual activity as alternatives to physical sexual activity with partners. Before deciding to engage in online sexual activity including sexting, consider the possible risks. There are a number of safety issues you should think through in advance. Read more about this here. Remember close sexual contact with anyone you are not living with can put you and others at risk of coronavirus.

When to consider avoiding sex

Avoid sexual activity and especially kissing if you or your partner has symptoms of coronavirus, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or loss of smell or taste. Anyone with common symptoms of coronavirus should self-isolate and phone their GP or Out of Hours services straight away to get a coronavirus test. If you have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, you will need to restrict your movements for 14 days after your last contact with the person who has COVID-19 and you will be referred for testing, even if you have no symptoms. It’s important to be particularly careful if you or your sexual partner has an underlying medical condition, as you are more likely to become very ill if you get coronavirus. These include lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, or a weakened immune system. Find out more about at-risk groups.

Safer sex practices

As well as protecting yourself from coronavirus, it is important to take the usual safer sex precautions to protect yourself from unplanned pregnancy, STIs and HIV. • Always use a condom. Condoms give the best protection against STIs and are 98% effective against pregnancy when you use them correctly and every time you have sex. • Use hormonal contraception to prevent unplanned pregnancy. Talk to your pharmacist or GP about different methods of hormonal contraception. If your hormonal contraception prescription is due for renewal, your pharmacist may be able to provide you with additional supplies if it is safe and appropriate to do so. • Emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex to prevent unplanned pregnancy. The sooner you take it, the more effective it is. You can get EHC without prescription from your local pharmacy. If you need EHC, phone your pharmacist, who may be able to carry out the consultation over the phone. This will reduce the amount of time you will need to spend in the pharmacy. • Get tested for STIs if you have symptoms of an STI. There have been restrictions to many public STI services during the coronavirus outbreak. Contact your local STI clinic or GP to check their testing service availability. • PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medication that can help prevent HIV transmission if you are HIV negative and at substantial risk of acquiring HIV. • PEP - If you have been recently exposed to HIV PEP (post exposure prophylaxis) is a course of HIV medication that can help to prevent HIV infection. This is available through public STI clinics and in Emergency Departments. There is no evidence to suggest that people on PrEP or HIV treatment have additional protection against coronavirus.

What is CONSENT?

What is consent? In all circumstances where we are intimate with someone consent needs to be established first. When having sex, consent is an agreement between all participants that they definitely want to have sex, or do any sexual act. Everyone needs to fully and clearly agree to it and their consent must be continuous for the duration of sex. This means that they have the right to change their mind at any time, for any reason, without any consequences.

Consent is needed for vaginal, anal or oral sex, mutual masturbation, sexual touching or kissing. Consent can be expressed both verbally and physically - so it can be with words, as well as actions and body language. It must be enthusiastic, conscious and voluntary. Consent should be given freely without any manipulation, convincing or threats. If consent is not expressed, this is not sex - it is assault. Below are some scenarios in which consent is needed. Thinking about situations like these before they arise will help us to ensure we understand when our partners are consenting or not. Understanding consent in different situations... Consent with a partner James and Anna have been going out for three months and have begun having sex. Anna has said that she only wants to have sex with James once he is wearing a condom. One night while they are having sex James takes off the condom saying it doesn’t feel comfortable and then goes to have sex with Anna again. Does James have consent from Anna in this situation? At the beginning of this situation James has Anna’s consent, Anna wants to have sex with him but only when he is wearing a condom. Once James has taken off the condom he no longer has Anna’s permission to continue having sex with her. In this situation Anna’s consent was conditional to James always wearing a condom. Consent on a one-night stand Mark and Jack meet on a night out and decide to go home. They are

both drunk and when they get into Mark’s apartment, Jack sits on the couch as Mark goes to the bathroom. When Mark comes back into the sitting room, Jack is asleep. Mark tries to wake up Jack by kissing his neck and rubbing his crotch.

Have both Mark and Jack consented to this situation? No. Although Jack agreed to come home with Mark, once he is asleep Mark has no right to touch Jack in a sexual way. Mark may view this as a romantic or playful way to wake up Jack, but Jack is drunk and asleep and cannot consent to letting Mark touch or kiss him. Consent in a new relationship Amy and Michelle have started dating and had sex one night previously. The next week they are in Michelle’s house watching a movie and begin kissing. Amy tries to unbutton Michelle’s jeans and Michelle lets her, but as Amy puts her hands down Michelle’s underwear Michelle goes stiff and stops kissing Amy back. Do both Amy and Michelle consent to sexual touching and kissing? No. Although Amy and Michelle have had sex before and at the beginning of the evening Michelle seems to be enjoying kissing and touching, once her body language changes Amy must stop what she is doing. In this situation Amy should ask Michelle is she is okay, enjoying what they are doing and if she wants to continue. If Michelle seems hesitant or unsure about her answer Amy should not continue as consent needs to be enthusiastic and voluntary. Consent between friends Sean, Josh and Jess are in Josh’s house. Jess is telling Josh and Sean how she has just gotten her nipple pierced and asks them if they want to see it. They say yes and she shows them. Josh then asks Jess if he can touch the piercing and she says yes. After Josh has touched it Sean then goes to touch the piercing too. Did everyone consent in this situation? No, Jess has not consented for Sean to touch her in this situation. Jess agreed to show Sean and Josh her piercing and for Josh to touch it. Sean did not ask Jess whether he could also touch the piercing and

therefore does not have her consent. Sexting consent Rachel and Scott are in a long-distance relationship. They only get to see each other every two months and often send each other sexual messages and naked photos. Rachel was talking to her friends about their relationship and showed them a naked photo of Scott. Did Scott consent to Rachel showing other people his photo? No, Scott did not consent to have his naked photo seen by anyone else but Rachel. Although Scott sent the naked photo of himself freely to Rachel it does not mean that she has the right to show that photo to anyone else. Oral sex consent Niamh and Conor are in bed and Conor asks Niamh if she wants to have sex with him. She says that she wants to have oral sex but does not want to have vaginal sex. Conor wants to have vaginal sex so they discuss the topic and then agree to only have oral sex. Did both Conor and Niamh consent to the sex they had in this situation? Yes, in this situation Niamh was not comfortable with one type of sex that Conor wanted to have but was comfortable with another. They spoke about the situation and agreed together only to have oral sex. Consent with an asexual partner Aoife and Maeve have been dating for three months now. Maeve is asexual and does not often feel sexually attracted to other people or want to have sex. She does experience romantic attraction and enjoys dating and being emotionally intimate with a partner. Maeve has told Aoife that she has had sex in the past and sometimes doesn’t mind it, but she does not currently have an interest in having sex. Maeve and Aoife agree that they both enjoy cuddling and kissing together. Have Maeve and Aoife established consent in this situation? Yes, in this scenario Maeve and Aoife agree that they both are happy to kiss and cuddle. If they want to engage in other forms of physical

intimacy in the future, more discussion will be needed to establish consent and each others’ boundaries. Why would someone have sex if they don’t want to? Sometimes people comply with having sex. Complying when having sex is when a person puts pressure on themselves to do something they are not comfortable with. Although the pressure comes from within themselves, not from whoever they are with, this can still be a sort of violation. People may comply for a number of reasons such as wanting to please their partner, fear of rejection or lack of confidence to say no. Another example might be where a couple are in a relationship and one person doesn’t want to have sex a certain night, the other says OK but then sulks and is short tempered afterwards. Next time the first person agrees because they do not want to deal with the sulks again. In this scenario we would have to question if there was consent, as consent must be enthusiastic, conscious and voluntary.

What does Irish law say about consent? In Ireland the legal age of consent to sex is 17. Consensual sex with anyone under the age of 17 may be legally referred to as statutory rape. What this means is, even if the person has consented to sex themselves, their consent is not considered legally valid because they are underage. Sentences The maximum sentence for having sex with someone over the age of 15, but under the age of 17, is five years. It is ten years if the person is in a position of authority i.e. a relative, teacher, sports trainer. If a person can prove that they believed the victim was over the age of 17, however, the court may view this situation differently. Asserting that the person consented to sex is absolutely not considered a valid defence. Currently, women under the age of 17 cannot be prosecuted for having sex with someone under the age of 17. It is illegal to have sex with anyone under the age of 15 years of

age. It is considered a criminal offence under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006. The maximum sentence for this is life imprisonment. If a person can prove that they believed the person was over the age of 15 however, the court may view this situation differently. Once you are over the age of 17, you are legally able to have sex with anyone you want, even someone much older than you.

*Sexual

S . H.A.G. *

Health, Awareness & Guidance Campaign

19 - 21 October, 2020

What is CONSENT?

Imagine it’s like making a cup of tea...

#GOODSTART2020

/citgoodstart

citgoodstart

h�p://studentengagement.cit.ie/goodstart BELONGING WEEK

http://studentengagement.cit.ie/goodstart

by Ellen, Good Start Ambassador and Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology student I believe a sense of belonging is a human need, much like food and shelter. We are all searching to feel a connec�on with a group of people, a place, a new college course, a new hobby… the list goes on. You may think others ‘fit-in’ be�er or can make friends quicker but everyone struggles with finding that sense of belonging and connec�on. Remember these top �ps as you join CIT: Smile at new people Ask Ques�ons if you don’t understand If you have a doubt, sort it as early as possible Remember you’re doing a great job As you begin your college journey, or return to your studies, it’s okay to be searching for the answers of ‘do I belong here?’, or ‘do I fit in here?’. There’s so many services and support in CIT which can help you figure these areas of doubt out. A li�le bit about my experience with searching for a feeling of belonging in college: A�er my leaving cert I went to University of Limerick to study Environmental Science. I had a constant feeling that I didn’t fit in and struggled with loneliness most evenings. I found the idleness a�er college and the some�mes quiet evenings in student accommoda�on hard to get used to. To combat this, I joined the UL gym and that made such a difference for me. I a�ended an all ladies class and it gave me drive to get up and go every evening. Being ac�ve, whether that’s a stroll on the beach, or a work-out class, give you endorphins that really boost your mood and energy levels. I con�nued my studies in Limerick for a year and ended up deciding I just wasn’t happy enough to con�nue my studies there. I transfered to CIT (something which I didn’t think was possible so now I tell everyone if you’re not happy in your current

AnSEO STUDENT ENGAGEMENT OFFICE

situa�on take ac�on, anything is possible). I was able to sign up and join a similar course in CIT a�er ge�ng the all clear from department heads and course directors. I feel much happier since making the switch. Choosing a college and course is such a big decision. I feel I rushed the choice because although I really didn't know yet what I wanted to do... everyone else was moving out of home, going to college and ﬁguring out what they wanted to do! To be honest, I s�ll don’t know what I want to do as a career! I’m now going into my ﬁnal year of Environmental Science & Sustainable Technology in CIT. Making that decision in UL and to say out loud, ‘I’m not happy here what can I do’, was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I hope that if someone is reading this and are having doubts (whether that be living away from home, did they pick the right college course, or is this college right for them) that they seek the right help and talk about it. All it takes is an email in some cases, or a chat to someone in the know! As a Good Start Ambassador, I can tell you that everyone has a story and very rarely is college a simple straight rode for everyone! Try your best in college and if you do have doubts, about any aspect, that’s perfectly normal. You’re not alone in having these thoughts or worries. Ask a Good Start Ambassador about what services or people are available in CIT, or head straight to the careers services contact men�oned above. Take the �me to talk to the right people in CIT to ensure that any decision you make is an informed one.

TOP CONTACTS

Contact the careers service in CIT. Book a one-to-one appointment with a careers advisor by email (careers@cit.ie) or by phone 021-4326232. (I visited the careers service myself, in person, last year while on campus and also emailed them during lockdown. I was freaking out about my placement being cancelled because of Covid-19 and they were so helpful. I highly recommend them to all my friends and now to you too!)

Good Start is a programme of AnSEO - The Student Engagement Office, Office of the Registrar and VP for Academic Affairs, CIT

cit_ie

@cit_ie

Book an online or phone session with the Academic Success Coaching by following the link, asc/book , or emailing academicsuccesscoach@cit.ie Book a session with the CIT Student Counselling Service by emailing counselling.admin@cit.ie (P.S They are working remotely too, so there’s no excuse not to book!)

GETTING DOWN TO WORK WEEK

by caoimhe, Good Start Ambassador and Environmental Science and Masters of Music student O�en, at the beginning of term when a lecturer assigns a wri�en assignment where referencing is required, they will give you an overview of the referencing system that is applicable to your course. They have to explain this every year, and have heard just about all of the ques�ons under the sun, so don't be afraid to raise your hand. Make an online appointment with Joe or Louise. They represent the CIT service Academic Success Coaching. The sessions will be online or over the phone, will last 30-60 minutes, and are FREE. Follow this link, book an appointment in 30 seconds, and figure out all of your referencing worries with a qualified helper: asc/book Want a quick refresher in the moment? Follow this link to the CIT website, click the guide that applies to the referencing system required by your course, and you're golden: h�ps://library.cit.ie/supports/referencing-guides My top �p for produc�vity would be to try the pomodoro technique: Study for 25 minutes, then take a five minute break. Repeat this three more �mes and that's a two-hour block done. Taking two breaks an hour not only feels good, but it helps you to maintain consistent focus, thereby increasing your produc�vity. The five minute break can consist of anything, except �me on your phone. I find that if I spend those precious minutes on my phone, I don't go back to the 25minutes feeling refreshed; I feel as though I've had no break at all. I had such issues with this that I now use an egg �mer to �me my blocks so that my phone doesn't have to be in the room at all now. Be strict with your five minutes. It is totally temp�ng to push the break to 6, 7.. 10 minutes, but it defeats the whole purpose. Believe me, I've been there - the once doable two hour block gets stretched out to four hellish, direc�onless hours. I'm a Good Start Ambassador who is star�ng her fi�h year of study at third-level. My quickfire �ps that have emerged from many trials, and much error are: 1. If I ever find myself procras�na�ng my workload, I do a 'medita�on for focus' on YouTube to be�er my chances of achieving a mindset that is more in the zone. 2. Start any new assignment on the day you are given it. Don't roll your eyes - I'm aware that I sound like a stereotypical nerd in a film. It's solid advice; if you start straight away (even

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if you just dra� an introduc�on or brainstorm the �tle), it's immediately less in�mida�ng to you, and to the future you. The assignment is no longer daun�ng, and you're much more likely to work on it each day consistently. 3. Be conscious of how you spend your �me. If your mind and body are asking for a break, grant it to them! I know that if I've been in college all day, I'm very likely to come home wrecked, and spend an hour or two scrolling through social media when I get home. Now, I ask myself; "is this what I really want to be doing, is this going to help me blow off some steam?". If the answer is yes, then I scroll unashamedly, free from guilt. If I think a run would release the endorphins that I'm craving, I acknowledge that desire within me and do that instead. 4. Did you know that the first universi�es were established in Europe in the medieval �mes as a way to sa�sfy the people's thirst for knowledge? When you find yourself in a study rut, where you can't seem to muster the mo�va�on to even start, try to remember why you decided to come to CIT in the first place. Why did you choose your par�cular course? What module did you spot in the course breakdown on day 1 and think "I've always wanted to learn more about that!"? Start there. Start with what you love. To finish, let me paint you a picture. You have numerous deadlines quickly approaching, and a�er a par�cularly �ring day of lectures, you have a decision to make; to do a bit of independent work or to take a break. To power through or to rest un�l tomorrow, that is the ques�on! In an ideal world, we would always push ourselves to do ‘just one more’. We recognise this sen�ment in sports; we tell ourselves that even though our calves are burning, we’re going to make it to the end of this song without slowing down. Our arm is aching, but we’re going to get one more rep in. How would it look if we applied this ‘one more’ a�tude to our studies? If learning from home, you’ve just logged out of Zoom and instead of walking the short distance to your bed, you read back over the notes that you took in a lecture from earlier that day. If on campus, you’ve just had a lab on campus and instead of ge�ng home ASAP and pu�ng on your pyjamas, you get yourself to the library and do a half hour of focused work. That half hour will show you how much work there really is to do, but will also help to encourage the release of the 'feel good' hormone in your brain. You'll be much more likely to come back later that evening having made that small half hour start. This mentality is about gently pushing ourselves; by making one simple decision to ask more of ourselves.

WHEN IN DOUBT, JUST ASK!

Just Ask! returns this year with the Good Start Ambassadors answering students’ ques�ons through @citgoodstart on Instagram and Facebook. There is no ques�on too big or small for our team, we have been trained to help you. However, if you ask us a new ques�on and we don't know the answer we will ﬁnd out for you. Ques�ons have already been ﬁltering in online and there will be lots of opportuni�es to win some great prizes in the next few weeks. http://studentengagement.cit.ie/goodstart

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Flights of Fancy…

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THE LEE VALLEY PART 1

ounty Cork has plenty on offer as can be seen, from Cork City to the Wild Atlantic Way along West Cork to the heritage of Cobh. However since foreign trips are not going to take off anytime soon, I am going to tell about what can be explored in the county that is only 25 miles West of CIT, and that is the Lee Valley, with my home town of Macroom as the centre of exploration.

THE BOGGERAGH MOUNTAINS

The Boggeragh Mountains are the central mountain range in County Cork with a wild character. One can simply turn off from Macroom and head North for 5 miles till arriving at Ballinagree junction, then drive another 3 miles till arriving at the foot of its highest peak; Mushera More. As long as you are well prepared with the jacket and boots, then it is a healthy 1.5 hours climb up 646 metres to the top of the mountain where a view of most of Munster can be taken in from the peak cross; Killarney, Dingle, West Cork, The Galtee Mountains and many towns and villages, including Macroom and Millstreet, can be seen. Next, tour around to explore the many dolmens, standing stones and Neolithic monuments that lie around the area. At the foot of Mushera More lies St. John’s Well. With the Holy Stations that are situated there, the well is reputed to cure the warts on the hands of those who dip them in the water. Then along the Northside is the Cork Butter Route. Originally going from Tralee-Castleisland-Rathmore-Millstreet-Rylane-TowerKerry Pike-Shandon, it was the old horse-and-cart route for the Kerry distributors of it’s butter produce, the full story which can be told in the Cork Butter Museum. There is a former service station there called the Kerryman’s table in picturesque surroundings that is now a local monument. There are plenty of trails around the area for hillwalking, and Ballinagree Village, with the Laine Bar as the good-time community

WOTS DA CIT-UATION DERE? Lockdown has given us a chance to enjoy the best of fiction and drama on TV since Reality shows have obviously been curtailed, and we were blessed to have the top notch, mature audience-breakthrough drama that is Normal People (it reduced me to tears y’know!) to get us through the dark weeks of total lockdown. Many good classic RTE Dramas have been screened for at least one season to revive the interest while keeping us entertained, and I am going to tell you about an absolute gem from the 2000’s: BACHELORS WALK. The plot involves three thirty-something hapless chaps who suffer commitmentphobia in one form or another: • Raymond Lawlor (Don Wycherley), a freelance movie and film writer, critic and columnist who feels that he should be

hub, holds fame for the ploughing and road-bowling (much played in these parts) champion, the Bould Thady Quill, who is commemorated there.

THE GEARAGH, TOONSBRIDGE AND KILMICHAEL

Firstly, one can head on the road to Bantry, the junction being just before you enter the town from Cork side, then after a mile you can stop at the Gearagh Nature Reserve. Being the only river forest in Western Europe with ancient trees on islands flowed by the River Lee, the forest had up to half its trees cut down by the state as per the construction of the Lee Valley hydroelectric scheme. The stomps in the lake make for some haunting viewing, especially in sunset mode, with many walkways in this protected area. Next, you can drive along the Dunmanway road to Kilmichael. A historical townland with wild bogland, there is the historical monument to the Kilmichael Ambush of 1920 along the road, where General Tom Barry and his IRA Flying Column successfully ambushed and destroyed a column of British Black and Tan Paramilitaries during the War Of Independence of 1919-21. There are many walkways around the area with spots that illustrate the finer points of this historic moment in Irish history. Drive along these country roads and it will show the wild beauty of this area until you arrive at Inchigeela Village. Then you can tour along till you get to the Toonsbridge Dairy. Located at the English Market in Cork, there is also a restaurant there with seasonal/ weekend opening hours. Also located is Macroom Buffalo Farm, owned by Johnny Lynch (from the Lidl ads!) who gives guided tours of his farm with the buffalo that produce his famous mozzarella!! (www.macroombuffalocheese.com) Next Issue: Part 2. An Gaeltacht Muscrai.

aspiring to something more, • Michael Quinn (Simon Delaney), a wouldbe barrister who cannot get his head around to properly committing himself to his girlfriend (later wife) Jane largely due to his over-fondness for gambling, overrelying on his father to keep him afloat, • Barry Boland (Keith McErlean), a chancing wastrel who sponges off Raymond (and sometimes Michael) and is always looking for a get-rich-quick scheme (“The Barry Boland Corporation”), • Along with Alison Jones (Marcella Plunkett), a pretty 30-something girl who works as an art gallery co-ordinator and becomes the boys’ flatmate, and a romance develops between herself and Raymond with many twists and turns along the way.

The three boys along with Alison live in a Georgian Townhouse on Bachelors Walk in Dublin. Most of the adventures occur in the city save for a few notable excursions and we get to see the drama, the humour, the romance and the many predicaments that hit our heroes as Dublin City during these somewhat easier days becomes the real star of the show. Mulligans Pub by the Dublin Docklands is where they all enjoy their scoops, and what adds to the charm is the timeless soundtrack of music of Jazz and Classical Piano mostly from Oscar Peterson and many other 70’s/80’s artists (music copyright reasons was why only Season 1 was ever released on DVD). The entire series runs three seasons (20012004), with the full-circle conclusion to this classic drama in a one-off Xmas Special (2006) that can be watched on RTE Player, but by the time you have finished that, you will be wishing that you were living in THEIR Bachelors Walk!

WHEN DO I NEED TO STAY AT HOME TO AVOID SPREADING COVID-19? Here’s some very clear advice from the HSE... https://youtu.be/-8b3VrvBRqE

Coronavirus COVID-19 HELP PREVENT CORONAVIRUS

Wash your hands

Where Students Come First Please note to protect the health and wellbeing of students, access to the Student Centre offices is limited

To book an appointment or avail of a service, please visit the Student Support Service Desks in the Nexus (Ground Floor, Student Centre)

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Opening times Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm

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Access Office emily.clifford@cit.ie 021-4335138 Careers Service careers@cit.ie 021-4336232 Chaplaincy edel.kelly@cit.ie 021-4335756 Counselling Service counselling.admin@cit.ie 021-4335772 Medical Centre 021-4335780 SportsClubs and Societies fintan.oleary@cit.ie 021-4335767 Student Assistance Fund student.assistance@cit.ie 021-4335750 / 021-4335138 Students’ Union fiona.leddy@cit.ie 021-4335270

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