Tusla, Care Orders & the Social Care System
Content Warning
Childhood abuse is a difficult topic and you may require support.
If you need to access support, The National Counselling Service may be able to help you. The National Counselling Service provides support to adults who have experienced abuse during their childhood.
This service is free to people age 18 or older who have a medical card. Doctors and other professionals can refer you to the National Counselling Service.
What is Retrospective Abuse?
It is abuse that an adult experienced when they were a child. Some people refer to this as historical abuse.
What type of harm or abuse is included in Restropective Abuse?
All forms of harm are included in retrospective abuse – sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and wilful neglect.
What is meant by harm, hurt, and risk?
Harm or hurt can mean different things. It can be
- Physical, like an injury,
- Emotional, like being threatened or frightened
- Or sexual, like someone using their power to involve a child in sexual activity.
Harm or hurt can also be caused when a child does not have the basic things they need, like not having enough food, not being washed, or being left alone for long periods of time.
Risk means unsafe situations, or people behaving in ways that are likely to be dangerous.
What is wilful neglect?
This is when the child is intentionally not cared for or given the things they need, such as food or medical care.
Wilful means that the parent had the ability and resources (such as money) to care for the child but they do/did not care for their child.
When do people have to report Retrospective Abuse?
People have to report Restrospective Abuse to Tusla if there is a current or potential risk to children.
In addition, people should report any information on a crime committed against a child to An Garda Síochána.
It can be difficult for people to know whether they should report or not. The person making the report may contact their local Tusla office or garda station to get advice before making the report.
What is Tusla?
Tusla is Ireland’s child and family agency.
Tusla provide a number of services to children and families nationwide, ranging from family support to providing care and protection to children at significant risk.
You can find out more about Tusla and the work they do here.
Get in touch
If you are a parent who’d like some support through childcare proceedings, freephone or email [email protected], the Parental Advocacy Service, delivered by Barnardos.
Our independent & confidential service is open to all parents of children in care.
1800 333 355.