‘Alarming rise’ in child neglect cases
Provisional figures show the HSE received 16,452 welfare referrals and 12,825 abuse referrals in 2010.
Of the abuse referrals, 4,755 were for alleged child neglect — more than the number for sexual abuse (2,962), physical abuse (2,608), and emotional abuse (2,500).
The figures are contained in the Child Care Data Set 2010 and come after a number of reports published last month by the independent National Review Panel, which highlighted concerns over child neglect and the reaction of frontline workers and HSE management to the issue of neglect cases.
Caroline O’Sullivan of the ISPCC said the figures were “alarming” and illustrated the need for early intervention in cases traditionally seen as “less bad” than physical or sexual abuse case.
“We have to move away from the fire brigade approach and get in early.”
She said that in cases of non-willful neglect, parents could be supported to help them overcome a lack of ability or parental skills, but in cases of willful neglect where “parents just don’t give a damn” action was needed.
“You have to act and you have to act strongly and parents have to be responsible and accountable.”
She said many families were struggling and that the ISPCC currently had 300 families awaiting support from the organisation — proof that there was a demand for services that the State was not always providing.
Earlier this year, Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald said neglect was the single largest reason for referrals to the HSE in abuse cases.
“Neglect is not an event, it is a process,” said Paul Harrison, HSE national childcare specialist, adding that attitudes toward child neglect needed to change and it needed to be treated with as much urgency as other categories of abuse.
At an event held recently by one of Cork city’s leading family support units, the Bessborough Centre, clinical psychologist Mairéad Ní Eidhin said neglect was often the most overlooked type of child abuse.
