Abuse scandals not a thing of the past, warns CARI

Support group CARI has expressed its concerned that today’s publication of the Child Abuse Commission may lead the public into a false sense of security that such abuses are a thing of the past.

CARI’s National Clinical Director, Dr Niall Muldoon stated today that “it is essential that the publication of this report should unite all in ensuring that we do better for the current generation of children”.

Current figures available show that each year over 3,000 reports of possible neglect and abuse are made to the HSE every year with approximately 1,000 of those relating to sexual abuse.

“As the biggest voluntary provider of specialised therapy and support to children who are today’s victims of sexual abuse, we want to make it very clear that this issue has not gone away and there is no sign of this terrible crime ceasing to exist,” said a CARI statement.

“With tragic irony it is a fact that children who are being abused in Ireland today have fewer and less appropriate services available to them than the adult survivors of abuse.

“It is vital that the Government and the HSE learn the lessons of the past and start providing appropriate, fully resourced and integrated services for those children who are currently suffering or are at risk of suffering abuse, not just sexual but physical, emotional and neglect.”