Local teachers are being encouraged to talk about consent in the classroom.
A new NUI Galway report shows 93 per cent of girls believe consent is always needed before sex, while the figure stands at only 79 per cent for boys.
Some of the key barriers to talking about consent with partners were fear, embarrassment and ruining the mood.
Third level institutions will start offering classes on the matter this year, but Active Consent Programme co-ordinator at NUIG Carol West told Northern Sound that they can provide training to secondary schools anywhere in the country.