10-08-2025
Children in care fear stigma if details of their lives are revealed at school, study finds
A new study by Trinity College Dublin draws on the voices of 20 children who have engaged with Ireland's child protection and welfare services.
In interviews, they describe the fear of being stigmatised or 'losing face' if sensitive details of their young lives are shared at school or in the wider community.
A 16-year-old girl recalled her distress when personal details of her case were discussed during a formal meeting that included professionals and her school principal. She said she was upset the principal now had such a clear picture of her family life.
'I know some people like teachers have to know some important stuff, but does everyone need to know everything? It's a bit rough to be honest — like your life is open wide,' she told interviewers.
The key to capturing the voices of children lies in adults providing safe, trusting spaces for those conversations
A boy, aged 12, was fearful about his peers knowing about his private life.
'It's my business cause it's just like if they spread it around and add lies, that's gonna be horrible, so that's why I don't tell them,' he told the study
The research, commissioned by Tusla as part of the Through the Eyes of the Child study, also highlighted the importance of children being informed about their cases in language they could understand. A girl, aged 11, said she sometimes struggled with the language used by professionals.
'Sometimes they used big words,' she said.
Professor Stephanie Holt, one of the study's authors, said the key to capturing the voices of children lies in adults providing safe, trusting spaces for those conversations.
'Our research engagement with children of all ages continues to confirm their ability to engage in child-friendly and safe discussions about their experiences — both good and more challenging,' said the professor.
'Participating children themselves gave evidence that when they felt listened to, included in conversations about issues important to them and their family, and were given many different ways to participate in decision-making, they were more likely to accept the outcome of those conversations and the decisions were more likely to be informed by children's important experiences in the families.'
The study, published in the journal Child Abuse and Neglect, acknowledged the challenges facing frontline staff in child protection.
