Irish consent ad backlash

News · Heat 2.0 / 10 · 2 shows · 4m airtime

In October 2026, We Consent, a project of the Dublin Rape Crisis Center, released a 25-second PSA telling children they need not hug their grandparents. Dublin City Councilor Gavin Pepper and online critics said it portrays a loving hug as strange or suspicious, and some flagged that the uncomfortable teenager is the only non-white member of the family. The center has not responded to the criticism. The discussion has since widened, with one US show describing the spot as a government-run We-Consent.ie ad telling grandparents to ask before hugging grandchildren.

How 2 podcasts covered it

1. Morning Wire, 2026-10-22 (11:41 to 12:53)
   Reports the backlash to the We Consent PSA
   Covers the backlash to the We Consent PSA: the 25-second ad, Councilor Gavin Pepper's objection that a grandparent's hug should not be framed as suspicious, and criticism of casting the only non-white family member as the uncomfortable child.
   New angle: Dublin City Councilor Gavin Pepper and online critics attacked the We Consent PSA for framing a grandparent's hug as suspicious.
2. Adam Carolla Show, 2026-10-26 (1:41:04 to 1:43:54)
   Plays and mocks the Irish consent ad
   Plays the Irish We-Consent.ie ad and mocks it, arguing consent PSAs never reach the people who need them. No detail on who funded or runs the campaign.
   New angle: Ireland's government is running a We-Consent.ie ad telling grandparents to ask before hugging grandchildren.