64% of students surveyed considered sharing live location with a partner normal. Read the full report here.

A national survey of 330 students across twelve Irish higher education institutions has found that behaviours associated with pressure, control and surveillance are increasingly being treated as everyday parts of student relationships. In most cases, these behaviours are framed within the context of care and concern, but often mask a much more uncomfortable reality.

The Feel Seen Report was funded through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) EDI Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment National Awareness Campaign Fund, was conducted in two phases. This was an anonymous quantitative survey of 330 students between February and March 2026, followed by a qualitative online research community involving 25 students in April 2026. This ongoing campaign has been further funded by CUAN, the National agency for Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. 

Nothing’s worse than experiencing something tough and feeling alone in your experience. So we’ve teamed up with TU Dublin to bring you the findings of the Feel Seen Report and shed some light on students’ experiences across the country. This report was conducted to show how pressure, control and surveillance become normalised in student relationships, so that the findings can help students recognise everyday harm earlier and feel more confident addressing it.

The research highlighted a key paradox: students demonstrated an extensive knowledge and desire for healthy relationships and dynamics which champion respect and consent, but often these pillars were reported missing from everyday student culture.

97% of students said feeling physically safe was essential or very important to a healthy relationship, while 96% said being able to say “no” without guilt, pressure or fear and being respected when they disagree were equally important.

Yet 55% said being able to say no without pressure or guilt was often missing or hardest to find in relationships. 42% said the same about being respected when disagreeing, while 37% identified independence as something often missing or difficult to find.

The research also found that behaviours associated with monitoring and control can become normalised within relationships. 71% of students said expecting an immediate reply from a partner was normal, while 64% considered sharing live location with a partner normal and 58% considered checking who a partner follows, likes or interacts with online to be normal.

The language used to describe the uncomfortable behaviour also was shown to soften the seriousness of it. “Terms such as “clingy,” “protective,” “just insecure,” or “really into you” reduce urgency and make challenging the behaviour feel socially excessive”, the report reads. 

Other parts of the report also delve into creepy unwanted behaviours that students report experiencing, as well as porn use and digital harm.

“Creating a safe space to identify and challenge our own beliefs and behaviour patterns in relationships is one of the aims of the campaign, encouraging insight that facilitates change”, said Catherine Bolger, Lead Project Partner on the HEA National Awareness Campaign on Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment and Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Manager TU Dublin.

“Through awareness, education and open conversation, the campaign aims to help students recognise and challenge harmful behaviours, feel more confident seeking support, and build relationships grounded in respect, safety, consent and care.”

Read the full report here.

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