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Irish Examiner
01-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Society's view of child sex abuser 'stereotypes' stuck in the past, says One in Four report
'Stereotypes' that people have of the types of individuals who sexually abuse children are preventing society from seeing the 'variety' of offenders out there, a charity has warned. One in Four said offender types have 'change markedly' over time – away from family members or people in authority to friends and romantic partners, who are also young. Publishing a new report, the therapeutic organisation pointed out that a landmark study by the CSO in 2022 found significant differences among adults, depending on their ages, who had been sexually abused as children. Among those aged 18-24 the majority of offenders included 'friends and romantic partners' who were also likely to be young people. In contrast, for those aged over 55, the majority of offenders were either family, neighbours or people in position of authority. The research, conducted by social psychologist Karen Hand, spoke to a range of experts and survivors and also involved a nationally representative survey of over 1,000 people. When people were asked from a list, which categories of person would be most likely to commit child sexual violence, the survey found: 48% said a family member/relative 11% said a person in authority 5% said a stranger 4% said a current or former partner 4% said a friend or acquaintance The report said: ''Stereo-types' of child abusers prevent us from seeing the variety of offender types.' The study, entitled Irish Attitudes to Tackling Child Sexual Abuse, found that 39% of respondents said they knew someone who had been sexually abused as a child. Some 17% said they weren't sure, with 44% replying they did not know anyone. One male survivor and local expert told researchers about his abuser: 'He was our cousin and he lived next door and worked on my dad's farm and he was abusing me and my two younger sisters for years - even when my first sister spoke up, I still said nothing… until I ended up in therapy with a gambling addiction and depression and it all came out.' A young female survivor said: 'Who's going to tell their mam at 14, that there's this boy is after doing this to me or I'm dating this boy and he raped me - or I was walking home and this boy dragged me into a bush, like there's a big stigma about it.' A number of young male survivors commented on external pressures on boys. One said: Young men - my age - are being drawn into the 'manosphere', 'looksmaxing', going to the gym, listening to Andrew Tate – it can really alienate you from girls - I found it really damaging when I was with my ex-girlfriend. A second young male survivor said: 'Boys have a lot of poor role models. There's nothing to stop them getting really, really bad habits and perceptions of women, their peers and specifically point out guys. There's nothing in place in school to tell you this is how you deal with consent, this is how you approach consent.' One expert said sexual violence on a child had a profound impact: "It really leaves a deep impression on the brain, the soul, and the heart."
Irish Times
01-05-2025
- Irish Times
View that child sex abuse is a thing of the past ‘has allowed it to persist', says charity
Child sexual abuse is not an individual or historical issue but a systemic challenge that demands collective action, a new report from the support charity One in Four highlights. A Red C poll commissioned by the organisation found that 91 per of people believe Irish society has failed to address the issue, while 94 per cent acknowledge its serious impact on wellbeing and development. The attitudinal research funded by Community Foundation Ireland is the first of its kind in relation to child sexual abuse. The report states that child sexual abuse cannot continue to be viewed as 'something confined to the past or to certain institutions'. READ MORE 'It is happening today, in homes, schools, sports clubs, peer to peer and increasingly, through online spaces,' it states. 'Our collective inability to confront this uncomfortable reality has allowed it to persist, causing immeasurable harm.' It states that the current key barriers relate to 'invisibility, collapsing boundaries and explosiveness'. Invisibility refers to 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, the report says. In terms of collapsing boundaries, 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. Explosiveness refers to the idea that 'this topic is so emotional and overwhelming that people often avoid it or focus on the most shocking cases, instead of working towards real solutions', it adds. [ 'Their childhood stopped the day the abuse started': Almost 2,400 allegations of abuse in religious run-schools Opens in new window ] The principal recommendation of the report is for a preventive public health framework – acting at every level across society, before harm occurs. This starts with primary prevention: providing universal education across society in understanding healthy boundaries and the root causes of child sexual abuse. Secondary prevention focuses on recognising early warning signs and stepping in quickly to support those at risk, the report states. Deirdre Kenny, One in Four chief executive Deirdre Kenny, chief executive of One in Four, said the organisation witnessed every day 'the resilience it takes for survivors to come forward and the pain caused by silence and denial'. Report researcher Dr Karen Hand said: 'There is no ambiguity around the evidence that child sexual violence remains a key issue for Irish society and many of today's young people are having unwanted sexual experiences in person and online. 'Global best practice highlights that a preventive public health approach can ensure that every child and young person in Ireland is safe, supported and empowered.'
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.
