A controversial video about consent and hugging should be regarded as “good in some respects”, a psychologist has argued. 

Today, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre published a video as part of its We Consent campaign. 

It depicts two grandparents arriving at a family’s home, where they are given an enthusiastic hug by their grandson. 

However, after they finished greeting him, they go to hug their granddaughter, who looks visibly uncomfortable with physical affection. 

A narrator then informs viewers that, "Not everyone wants a hug".

The video has since been taken by DRCC, following a public backlash; the organisation said it did not want the video to “impinge on and distract from the vital work that we as a centre do in supporting victims and survivors”. 

In a statement on social media, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan described the video as “both inappropriate and demeaning to grandparents”, adding that it had been “removed by DRCC following my officials’ engagement with them”. 

On The Claire Byrne Show, psychologist Dr John Francis Leader said people should always consider the views of other people when they interact with them, even if they are close family members. 

“If you want to bring your grandkids for a walk or for a run in the park, that's a lovely thing to do,” he said. 

“If somebody's just had a leg injury, you might want to do that.

“So, you still express the affection, but in a different way that's sensitive to the needs.”

Dr Leader continued that Ireland is a society that has historically shied away from tough conversations about consent and boundaries. 

However, that has changed in recent years. 

“Ireland isn't a country that's never experienced repression,” he said. 

“The amount of conversations we can have that we couldn't have in the past, we've definitely made some good progress.

“So, it's very important that communication continues.”

While many have objected to the video as patronising and rude about grandparents, Dr Leader said controversy can sometimes be good at generating discussion. 

“From a psychological perspective, drama and conflict sell - for better or for worse,” he said. 

“That's why we're talking about this right now.

“It's good in some respects because at least we get to have this conversation.

“But what we always need to do is use any of this conflict as a hook to say, how do we not just attend to the challenge, but how do we look at the solution? 

“And I think a lot of that is to do with actually enhanced communication skills.”

Main image: Consent video.