News
Local lad involved in new national youth campaign
EXCLUSIVE
AWARENESS: Killian Heelan from Killarney has been chosen as one of 20 of Ireland's leading TikTokkers to raise awareness around sexual consent, as part of an innovative, new collaboration with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. Photo: Michelle Crean
By Michelle Crean
A Killarney lad who is amongst Ireland’s top leading social influencers is part of a major innovative, youth-driven national campaign to raise awareness around sexual consent.
With 1.4m likes and 52.3k followers on the world’s leading social media App for youngsters, Killian Heelan (21) was asked to join the Rape Crisis Centre’s #100Consent Campaign. Only 20 of the top TikTokers in Ireland were chosen and Killian says he’s proud to be part of the campaign to help others become more educated on the topic.
“As small of a country as Ireland is, it’s a big topic,” Killian this week told the Killarney Advertiser.
“There’s lots of people who don’t have enough education on it.”
The campaign by the Rape Crisis Centre was set up in a bid to reach the most critical demographic and support in consent education.
With their 20 influencers they now have a combined following of 2.8m people largely in the 16-24 year-old age bracket which they hope to reach with their new video.
The #100Consent campaign focuses on clarity and communication, understanding that being even one percent unsure when it comes to sexual consent, could have devastating consequences. By engaging the TikTokkers through a voluntary day of workshops and brainstorming sessions, the DRCC is challenging these young, creative content producers to convey the #100Consent messaging to their followers in a style and medium that resonates. Workshop themes will include ‘The stages of consent’, ‘The scale of agreement’ and ‘The power of social influence’.
“Not a lot of young people watch TV nowadays so social media can be used in more ways with video. TikTok is the App of choice for young people and it’s definitely going to take over.”
“Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) is both honoured and delighted that these great young people agreed to give time and thought to this new #100Consent campaign,” Noeline Blackwell, CEO of the, said. “Their TikTok activity shows that they are all brilliant communicators. We are learning a lot from them and are really looking forward to this collaboration. As far as we know, this is the first time that Irish TikTokkers have assembled to talk about an important social issue from a campaign perspective. We in the DRCC are excited to be part of a new way of getting the consent message out there and getting young people to think about how consent really features in their lives.”
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise
Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.
Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.
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