Over 90pc of public think Irish society has failed to address child sexual abuse

Irish Independent

01-05-2025

A new report from charity One in Four, which will be launched today with Children's Minister Norma Foley in attendance, has found more than 80pc of people agree sexual violence is more common than acknowledged.
While nearly one in three Irish people across all ages have experienced child sexual violence, either in person or online, this figure rises to 41pc among 18- to 24-year-olds, according to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The report found 91pc of people believe Irish society has failed to address child sexual abuse, with 94pc acknowledging the serious impact it has on well-being and development.
One in Four chief executive Deirdre Kenny said the research identifies 'what has been holding us back and why Ireland has struggled to protect our children from sexual abuse'.
She said three barriers that have influenced the problem stand out in the research, including how abuse often happens 'out of sight and is rarely talked about'.
'Survivors feel alone, and families and communities sometimes look away rather than face the reality,' she said.
Almost 85pc of people said pornography distorts children and young people's healthy sexual development
Ms Kenny said there has also been a 'collapsing of boundaries' as 'the usual protections at home, in school and online are breaking down' and social media and technology are making it easier for abuse to happen anywhere.
The 'explosiveness' of the topic, which is 'so emotional and overwhelming that people often avoid it or focus on the most shocking cases, instead of working towards real solutions', has also impeded progress, she said.
Eighty-two per cent of people polled agreed sexual violence is more common than acknowledged, with 73pc believing it can be hard to spot the signs, a Red C poll found.
Almost 85pc of people said pornography distorts children and young people's healthy sexual development, with 78pc believing it encourages depersonalised and more violent sexual experiences and desires.
Two in five adults know someone who experienced sexual violence as a child, a figure 'significantly higher' among women and those living in Dublin.
One in Four wants the Government to introduce a preventative public health framework that would include providing education on healthy boundaries and the root causes of child sexual abuse, a focus on recognising early-warning signs, providing survivors with timely support and preventing re­offending.
Report researcher Dr Karen Hand said: 'Global best practice highlights that a preventative public health app­roach can ensure that every child and young person in Ireland is safe, supported and empowered.'