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The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
'Significant increase' in allegations of abuse against Catholic Church members, report says
THERE HAS BEEN a 'significant increase' in the number of new allegations notified to the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI). The organisation published its annual report today, which covers the period between April 2024 and March 2025. According to the report, there were 385 child protection notifications against male and female members of the clergy last year. This is increase of over 50% on the 252 allegations notified the previous year. It is the highest number of any reporting period since the NBSCCCI began publishing the annual figures in 2009. The report said 291 of the allegations received state sexual abuse as the major abuse, while there were a further 55 allegations of physical abuse. It said that 32 of the allegations did not disclose a specific form of abuse. In some of the cases notified, particularly in relation to sexual abuse, emotional abuse was also noted on the referral form, it added. The NBSCCCI said the increase in notifications was predominantly from September 2024, which coincided with the release of the report of the scoping inquiry into historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders. The inquiry reported that there were almost 2,400 allegations of sexual abuse of children in schools run by religious orders. 'These events in September 2024 appear to have given individuals renewed strength to tell of their experiences,' said Aidan Gordon, CEO of the NBSCCCI. Advertisement The vast majority of the allegations relate to the period from 1960 to 1989, with 282 of the 385 allegations – or 73% – in this category. The decade which the allegations notified to the NBSCCCI relate to. NBSCCCI NBSCCCI Only two allegations relate to the period after 2000. The NBSCCCI said that this should be caveated with the fact that 47 allegations did not have a definite timeframe attributed to them. The report states that 287 requests for safeguarding advice were made during the 2024/2025 period, up from 281 the previous year. The NBSCCCI provides advice, services and assistance around the safeguarding of children within the Catholic Church in Ireland. It also monitors compliance with legislation and policy, and reports on these activities annually. The national board said this year was its final year for completing and reporting on reviews of safeguarding practice in dioceses and across religious orders under the 2016 child safeguarding policy. By the end of this year, the NBSCCCI said it anticipates that it will be beginning its review process looking at practice under the three standards of our current Church policy (2024). 'While this is undoubtedly an extremely difficult undertaking for those who have suffered any type of abuse as a child, it is good to be able to begin to address that trauma and we are grateful for the production of such a comprehensive and far-reaching report by Mary O'Toole SC,' Gordon said. Support is available One in Four provides support for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse; you can call 01 662 4070 or email info@ An extensive list of support services, for people in Ireland and abroad, can be read here . Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
Significant increase in allegations of abuse against Catholic Church members
There has been a significant increase in the number of new allegations notified to the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI). Last year there were 385 allegations of abuse, up from 252 the previous year. Its latest annual report, which covers the period between April 2024 and March 2025, shows a rise of over 50% in new allegations. It is the highest number of any reporting period since the NBSCCCI began publishing the annual figures in 2009. The increase was predominantly from September of 2024 and coincided with the release of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools run by Religious Orders. Along with the subsequent media coverage, this appears to have enabled individuals to come forward. As has been the pattern in recent years the vast majority of allegations relate to the period from 1960 to 1989 with 282 of the 385, or 73%, in this category. Two related to the period post-2000. The NBSCCCI said this should be caveated with the fact that 47, or 12%, did not have a definite timeframe attributed to them. The national board has a number of roles, which includes advising individual Church bodies on best child safeguarding practice, which is done through case management advice, training, and policy review. In the 2024/2025 period, the number of requests for safeguarding advice also increased from 281 to 287 according to the report. The 2024/25 reporting year was also the final year for completing and reporting Reviews of Safeguarding practice in dioceses and across religious orders under the 2016 child safeguarding policy. By the end of 2025, the NBSCCCI says it anticipates beginning a review process looking at practice under the three standards of current Church policy (2024).
