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An Irish politician has called for “a bit of common sense” after a government-supported campaign urged grandparents to seek consent before hugging their grandkids.
Released by the group We-Consent — a project of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre which is supported by government agencies — the 25-second public service announcement boldly declares: “Not everyone wants a hug. Even from the people who love them.”
“Awkward? Maybe. Important? Absolutely,” the campaign adds.
The video features one grandchild happily hugging their grandparents, while another appears uncomfortable as her grandparents lean in for an embrace.
In response to the campaign, Irish Councillor Gavin Pepper slammed both the “Government and [non-governmental organizations]” for “losing the run of ourselves.”
“Of course children should be taught about boundaries and nobody should ever be forced into physical contact they don’t want,” the fired-up pol wrote on Facebook alongside the video ad.
“But we also need a bit of common sense.”
Pepper described the “relationship between grandparents and grandkids” as “one of the most important bonds in Irish family life,” noting that “a hug from a loving grandparent should not be presented as something strange or suspicious.”
The outraged politician slammed the government for “talking constantly about changing traditions” and argued “there comes a point where people are entitled to say: leave some things alone”
“Irish culture, family and traditions matter,” he said.
Pepper doubled down on teaching children boundaries and respect — but begged to “bring some common sense back into the conversation as well.”
We-Consent — supported by Ireland’s Department of Justice and Department of Children, Disability and Equality — describes itself as a long-term national program that aims to inform, educate and engage with all members of our society about consent.
The advertisement, which has gone viral on social media, garnering mixed reactions such as “what the f–k” and “how is this real?, does not appear on any of We-Consent’s online platforms.
It is unclear when or if the organization removed the video from their pages.
“The government needs to answer for this. It’s bonkers,” one social media user wrote.
“I’m sorry, but this just seems absolutely ridiculous. This is not how taxpayers’ money should be spent. What next? A campaign to tell us that not everyone wants to be offered a cup of tea?,” another slammed.
“This is actually both the saddest and most enraging thing I have seen for a long time. I mean WTAF? One of the most precious relationships is grandparents and grandchildren. HOW did this get signed off?,” said another.
However, Irish Councillor Lorraine Hall defended the campaign on X, writing she’s “embarrassed” for anyone who took the ad literally instead of as a “figurative message.”
“Embarrassed for all the people that think that this is a literal rather than a figurative message…and have forgotten that advertising creativity is a thing,” the pol wrote.
“Oh yes…and also to state the obvious – advertising does work,” she said.
We-Consent and the Dublin Rape Crisis Center did not immediately return The Post’s request for comment.
