Latest news with #IrishAttitudestoTacklingChildSexualAbuse
Irish Examiner
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
ISPCC calls for national strategy to fight child sex abuse and exploitation
The ISPCC is calling on the government to develop a national strategy for child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation and online risks to child safety, following a 'seminal' week in relation to child safety. The organisation's head of policy and public affairs, Fiona Jennings, said the One in Four report launched last Thursday, the PrimeTime investigation into the Christian Brothers aired on Thursday night and the recent publication of the Grace report highlight the need for such a strategy, as recommended in a report from the Garda Siochana Inspectorate in 2017. The Irish Attitudes to Tackling Child Sexual Abuse launched by One in Four on Thursday found that 40% of people know someone who was sexually abused as a child, while more than 90% of respondents believe society had failed to address child sexual abuse. 'Is this the moment that we will finally see this acted upon? This research (in the One in Four report) speaks to the need for a whole-of-society approach, it speaks to the need for one for not just child sexual exploitation offline but it also speaks to the online element as well. "Eight years later, we still don't have this recommendation in place, and we don't have to stray too far just to see how vulnerable victims and survivors of child sexual abuse have been treated,' said Ms Jennings. She said a national strategy would bring together all the different agencies and individuals who have expertise in different areas relating to child sexual abuse. She also said there is a need for an audit of Ireland's laws and guidelines in the area to 'ensure that our laws and policies are fit for purpose'. She added: 'I firmly believe that child sexual abuse is the last taboo that Ireland needs to tackle in a meaningful way. We have tackled divorce, we have tackled marriage equality, we have tackled reproductive rights. Now is the time that we need to tackle child sexual abuse. "If Thursday's report was not that seminal turning point, then I really worry as to what we actually do need.' The One in Four report was published on the same day as the PrimeTime documentary on the Christian Brothers, which revealed that two members who were senior leaders of the order over the space of two decades and managed the congregation's assets are now convicted child sexual abusers. Last Tuesday, the general solicitor for minors and wards of court, Marie-Claire Butler, claimed none of the "extensive" submissions made on behalf of the woman known as Grace were included "in any way" in the final report of the Farrelly Commission. The commission was tasked with examining allegations of abuse and severe neglect while she was in a foster home in the southeast over a 20-year period. While it found that Grace, who is now in her 40s and who is severely intellectually disabled, had been neglected and there was a lack of oversight for her care, the commission was not satisfied the evidence established she had been subjected to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Citing the One in Four report, the Christian Brothers documentary and the Grace report, Ms Jennings said: 'What do we actually need to do in order to get our policy makers to act?' The ISPCC will now be contacting the government to seek the implementation of such a strategy." She added: 'It is something that should be coordinated from the Department of the Taoiseach.'
Irish Examiner
01-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
40% of Irish adults know a survivor of child sexual abuse – One in Four survey
As many as 40% of people know someone who was sexually abused as a child, according to a poll. And 70% of people surveyed said they believe parents are 'uncomfortable' discussing safety and sex with their children. The findings are contained in a new report by One in Four, a charity working with survivors of childhood abuse and perpetrators of sexual violence. One in Four is urging the Government to show leadership and set up a new 'preventative public health framework' — across health, education, justice, and technology — to tackle the crisis. The report, Irish Attitudes to Tackling Child Sexual Abuse, jointly commissioned with Community Foundation Ireland, is due to be launched today by children's minister Norma Foley. A nationally representative survey of over 1,000 people found that more than 90% of respondents believed society had failed to address child sexual abuse. In addition, researcher Karen Hand also spoke to a range of experts, including therapists, and survivors of child abuse. The survey found: 88% of respondents said a 'whole of society' approach is needed to prevent and tackle child sexual abuse; 78% said pornography encourages more violent sexual desires; 69% said parents are uncomfortable discussing safety and sexuality with children; 81% support more penalties against tech companies that allow children access pornography online; 76% said a 'national conversation' on the issue is needed; 73% back smartphone restrictions for under-16s. The survey said 39% of people know someone who experienced sexual violence in childhood and a further 17% said they 'might or might not know' someone who had. One in Four chief executive Deirdre Kenny said the report identifies what has been holding the country back and why Ireland has 'struggled' to protect its children. Three 'barriers' to better child protection • She said 'invisibility' is a barrier, in that the abuse happens out of sight and is rarely talked about, leaving survivors feeling alone. • A second barrier the report identified was 'collapsing boundaries', in that the usual protections at home, at school, and online were breaking down with social media and technology making it 'easier for abuse to happen anywhere'. • A third barrier is 'explosiveness', describing how the topic is 'so emotional and overwhelming' for people to face and deal with. Social psychologist and report researcher Karen Hand with One in Four chief executive Deirdre Kenny ahead of today's launch of 'Irish Attitudes to Tackling Child Sexual Abuse'. Picture: One In Four Ms Kenny said child sexual abuse is often 'shrouded in silence and shame'. She said: 'This silence isolates survivors, perpetuates harm within families and communities, and creates significant barriers to meaningful change. 'It is clear we cannot continue to view child sexual abuse as something confined to the past or to certain institutions. It is happening today, in homes, schools, sports clubs, peer to peer and increasingly, through online spaces. Our collective inability to confront this uncomfortable reality has allowed it to persist, causing immeasurable harm.' The report said the proposed preventative public health framework involves primary prevention and secondary prevention, including intervention when there are early warning signs, and speedy professional support for survivors.
