Child Abuse
All children deserve to grow up in an environment free from harm and abuse and for their childhood to be cherished and enjoyed. Children and young people are among the most vulnerable members of our society, and that is why it is a societal responsibility to ensure our laws, policies and services offer the best protection to insulate them from those who would exploit or harm them. However, unfortunately child abuse does occur and can take may forms including neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Key Statistics
- There were 2,164 confirmed incidents of child abuse reported to HSE in 2008, this was an increase from 1,978 in 2007 and 1,797 in 2006 (HSE).
- Survivors of child sexual violence reported that nearly 80% of them were abused by someone known to them – immediate family members, relatives or family friends, 12% were abused by those in authority (i.e. teacher, coach, priest, etc), 3% by strangers and 5% by others (Rape Crisis Network Ireland, Statistics 2010)
- Over 3,500 crimes against children on average are being reported to gardaí every year, but less than a fifth of these are resulting in a court prosecution, and just one in ten of all cases have ended in a conviction to date.
- In 2010, there were 1,658 specific incidents of child abuse as disclosed by callers to Helpline (Women’s Aid Annual Report 2010)
- In 2010, 19 of the 78 alleged victims of human trafficking reported to An Garda Síochána in 2010 were children intended for sexual exploitation or enforced labour. (Anti Human Trafficking Unit,2010)
Policy submissions and papers
Child Prostitution 2010
Submission into Disclosure of Information in Cases of Abuse June 2010
Submission on Criminal Justice (Public Order)(Amendment) Bill 2009
Submission into Management of Sex Offenders 2009
Children Experiencing Neglect 2009
Submission to COSC National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence 2008
Child Abuse and the Internet 2008
Submission to the National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking 2007