• Over 1,860 Harmful Communication incidents have been recorded by An Garda Síochana since 2023 • Over 400 charges and summons have been initiated for offences under Coco’s Law An Garda Síochána is taking a definitive step in the fight against online harassment and intimate image abuse with the launch of a new Garda Schools Programme lesson dedicated to ‘Coco’s Law’. Developed in partnership with Webwise, the lesson is available now to be delivered in secondary schools nationwide. Established in 1991, the Garda Schools Programme works alongside the Social, Personal & Health Education (SPHE) curriculum and sees trained Community Gardaí facilitate lessons on substance use, personal safety, and cyber safety to support the personal development and well-being of young people across Ireland. The new Garda Schools Programme lesson on Coco’s Law was officially launched this morning by Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, An Garda Síochána’s Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing & Community Engagement Catharina Gunne, and Jackie Fox, mother of ‘Coco’ Nicole Fox at Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School Drimnagh, Dublin 12. The lesson provides a clear breakdown of the legislation known as Coco’s Law, which names new specific offences regarding online activity - particularly focusing on sending threatening or offensive communications, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. The lesson empowers students to recognise key offences and understand that they are legally accountable for their digital actions, by explaining the existing legislation, facilitating discussion around respectful relationships and consent, and educating students using scenarios. The newly developed Garda Schools Lesson in partnership with Webwise and supporting Webwise SPHE classroom lesson align to the Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum. Speaking at the launch event, Minister for Education & Youth, Hildegarde Naughton said: "Student online wellbeing and safety remains a central priority for the Department. This new lesson, developed by Webwise in partnership with An Garda Síochána, reflects our ongoing commitment to equipping young people with the knowledge and understanding they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. "Importantly, the programme not only raises awareness of the legal consequences of inappropriate behaviour online, but also empowers students to make respectful, informed choices and to seek support when they need it. "I also want to pay tribute to Coco, whose experience has had a profound and lasting impact on this work. Both she, and her family, have helped shape a stronger, more informed response, and continues to guide how we educate and protect young people in this area.” An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Catherina Gunne stated: "Given that most young people now carry a smart device, this lesson isn’t just about explaining the law; it’s about empowering students to be independent and safe. "We are moving beyond 'internet safety' as a concept and into the reality of legal responsibility. We want to protect students from exploitation and ensure they understand that every click and share has a real-life consequence.” Detective Superintendent Sinéad Greene from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau said: "The inclusion of this lesson in the Garda Schools programme is timely and will help to educate young people to understand the dangers of sending threatening or offensive communications, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. "At the Online Child Exploitation Unit, we see first-hand how exposure to graphic or child sexual abuse material (CSAM) can have profound and lasting impacts on young people’s mental health. Empowering young people with knowledge is one of the strongest protective tools we have. When they understand what illegal content looks like, why it is harmful, and how to respond, they are in a stronger position to keep themselves and others safe.” Jane McGarrigle; National Coordinator, at Webwise said; "As online harms continue to evolve, it is vital that young people understand their rights and responsibilities online, the legal framework and where to get help if something goes wrong online. This new lesson comes at a critical time for schools as they respond to new challenges posed by emerging technologies." The lesson is a direct response to the tireless campaigning of Jackie Fox, whose daughter, Nicole ‘Coco’ Fox, tragically died by suicide in 2018 following relentless online harassment. Jackie Fox’s advocacy led to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 (Coco’s Law), which criminalises the sending of threatening or offensive communications, and non-consensual the sharing of intimate images. Speaking at this morning’s event, Ms. Fox stated "Nicole’s legacy is now written into the law of this land, but its true power lies in education. Seeing this lesson enter schools means that other families might be spared the heartbreak we endured. This is about teaching our children that their online actions have real-world weight." Reporting Non-Consensual Sharing of Intimate Images Between the period of 01/01/2023 and 28/02/2026, An Garda Síochana has already initiated over 400* charges and summons for offences under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, 2020. This figure does not include incidents involving juvenile offenders (those aged under 18), in cases where the incident has been dealt with following a referral to the Juvenile Diversion Programme as required in the first instance, under the Children’s Act 2001. Each investigation is unique and depending on the specific circumstances of the evidence a prosecution could take place, not just under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 (Coco’s Law) but by offences disclosed under other legislation including Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 (as amended), the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and/ or Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998 as amended. Between the period of 01/01/2023 and 28/02/2026 the following number of incidents have been recorded by An Garda Síochana under the Harmful Communication incident category**. • 552 reported incidents of distributing grossly offensive communication to cause harm • 1,140 reported incidents of distributing/publishing/recording intimate image(s) • 175 reported incidents of recording intimate image(s) causing interference/alarm You can come forward to An Garda Síochana confidentially if you have been affected by threatening or offensive communications, or the sharing of intimate images, or are experiencing it at present. Please contact us whether in person at any Garda Station or by phone. In 2021 An Garda Síochána announced it had partnered with Irish Internet Hotline to create an online reporting facility that enables victims of intimate image abuse (IIA) to report this type of criminal activity to Gardaí, via the hotline website, while simultaneously making a IIA content removal request. Where victims request same, Gardaí will conduct a thorough criminal investigation with a view to prosecuting offenders, while Irish Internet Hotline will engage with the relevant service provider to seek the removal of the harmful content reported. Once an investigation is completed, a decision to prosecute is made by the Director of Public Prosecutions, which will include the specific breach of legislation to be prosecuted. Each and every investigation is unique and the exact circumstances of the incident and evidence adduced will determine the offences, if any, to be prosecuted. Advice for parents of children and juveniles sharing images can be found at https://www.garda.ie/en/crime/online-child-exploitation/ In November 2025, a new digital platform, Help4U, developed by Europol and the CENTRIC, was launched to support children and teenagers facing sexual abuse or online harm. Designed to be simple, private and accessible, Help4U helps young people find trusted advice, understand their rights, and connect with people who can help. Visit https://www.help4u-project.eu/to learn more, get advice, or ask for help. | 