The repetitive interviewing of a child who is believed to have been sexually abused can cause confusion and contaminate the child’s story, according to experts speaking at a national conference yesterday.

We, the undersigned, call on Minister for Justice and Equality Alan Shatter and all Oireachtas members to support amending the Courts Bill 2013 to regulate the admission of the counselling notes of the child witness in a sexual violence criminal case.

One of the country’s main assessment units for children suspected of having been sexually abused is to track the possible role of social media after noticing a “trend” in the experiences of some victims.

A study into child abuse has uncovered the emotional turmoil suffered by victims and their families, writes Conor Ryan.