sexual abuse

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

Sad boy
Record numbers seek help for historical child sex abuse — most of them men
One in Four saw demand for its services increase by 17% last year, with the percentage of male survivors coming forward rising to 62% 

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

'Talk to your children': Gardaí warn that kids can easily be snared by online abusers
'Talk to your children': Gardaí warn that kids can easily be snared by online abusers
Gardaí plead with parents to set sensible ground rules as they detail their work tracking down social media sexual abusers and blackmailers

Sat, 18 Oct, 2025

Mommy's Comfort (series)
Gardaí warn that children as young as five are being targeted online for sexual exploitation
Gardaí have identified over 100 Irish child victims of online sexual abuse this year as AI fuels new forms of exploitation

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025

Cork man charged with raping girl and making child sex abuse images
Cork man charged with raping girl and making child sex abuse images
Cork District Court also heard the accused led the girl 'to believe she was responsible for a €12,000 drug debt'

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

Majority of AI firms working on unhelpful 'generic' tools
Boys using 'AI girlfriends' to design a personal porn partner, conference hears
Researchers warn that teenage boys are creating pornographic 'AI girlfriends' using real girls’ photos, normalising violence and deepfake abuse

Thu, 09 Oct, 2025

Artificial Intelligence futuristic light sign 3D rendering illustration. Concept of AI, cyber technology, machine learning and c
Reports of child sexual abuse material surge to almost 28,000, new data reveals
Almost 28,000 reports of child sexual abuse material linked to Ireland last year as experts warn of AI-driven exploitation

Thu, 09 Oct, 2025

Upset girl on her smartphone in the dark.
'Trafficking victims in Cork don't come forward for fear of court or deportation'
'All we need is your age and first name': Sexual assault treatment unit specialist encourages trafficking victims who may have been sexually assaulted to come forward

Mon, 06 Oct, 2025

Garda Commissioner warns children being lured into crime through social media and online gaming
Garda Commissioner warns children being lured into crime through social media and online gaming
More than 400 police chiefs warn organised crime is recruiting children online, urging urgent international cooperation and stronger protective measures

Sat, 27 Sep, 2025

FILE PHOTO Pictured is Mick Finnegan, one of the abuse survivors who engaged with Dr Geoffrey Shannon in the creation of the rep
Labour leader calls for public inquiry into sex abuse allegations at St John’s Ambulance
It follows the publication in 2023 of a report by Dr Geoffrey Shannon which found systemic failures in the charity

Sun, 03 Aug, 2025

'You will be heard,' says Cork woman as her brother is jailed for raping her as a child
'You will be heard,' says Cork woman as her brother is jailed for raping her as a child
After sentencing, Niamh Herbert said: 'To anyone who has been harmed by another person let me tell you that you are strong, – speak your truth, people will listen, people will support you and you will be believed.'

Wed, 30 Jul, 2025

Criminal Courts of Justice
Judge orders trial for former sports figure in his 70s on 79 historic sexual abuse charges
The man, who cannot be named due to the nature of the charges, faces 79 allegations relating to the sexual abuse of four girls aged between eight and 15 in Ireland during the 1970s and 1980s

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

Man in prison hands of behind hold Steel cage jail bars. offender criminal locked in jail.
'I got the justice I deserve,' says Waterford woman as her father is jailed for sexually abusing her
Imposing sentence, the judge noted there had been no acknowledgement by James O'Reilly of the verdicts, and no expressions of remorse or empathy

Mon, 21 Jul, 2025

Little boy or child sitting alone on floor in front of the school after suffering an act of bullying
Investigation of historic child sexual abuse will now include all schools
Helen McEntee told the Dáil the commission of investigation will have the power to compel witnesses and documents

Tue, 15 Jul, 2025

Number of sex offenders in Irish jails up 16% amid ‘epidemic of violence against women’
Number of sex offenders in Irish jails up 16% amid ‘epidemic of violence against women’
MEP calls for suite of reforms including a review of sentencing for such crimes, and advanced training for circuit and district court judges

Mon, 14 Jul, 2025

British Irish Council summit
Tánaiste: Religious orders cannot 'plead the poor mouth' and must contribute to school abuse redress 
The potential size of any redress scheme has caused some unease in Government

Mon, 14 Jul, 2025

silhouette of depress woman standing in the dark with light shine behind
New Cork/Kerry centre 'has met dozens of migrants trafficked for sexual exploitation' 
As it formally launches its Cork and Kerry service, Ruhama says it has already dealt with 80 alleged victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking in the region

Fri, 11 Jul, 2025

Cahirmee horse fair
Investigation into sexual abuse in schools should include probe into State's responsibility, survivor says
Louise O’Keeffe said it was essential that files within the Department of Education be released as many of the older schools would have closed and the abusers would have died

Wed, 09 Jul, 2025

Life Sentences Bill 2024
Commission of inquiry to be established into allegations of historical sexual abuse in schools
A scoping inquiry published last year found that there were 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse against 884 teachers, priests and others in respect of 308 schools recorded by the religious orders which ran the schools

Tue, 08 Jul, 2025

Justice may finally catch up to George Gibney, the man Irish swimming tried to forget
Justice may finally catch up to George Gibney, the man Irish swimming tried to forget
Former Irish Olympic coach George Gibney has been arrested in Florida and faces extradition to Ireland over historic child sexual abuse charges

Wed, 02 Jul, 2025

'I don’t forgive you but I don’t judge you': Ex-school principal jailed for indecently assaulting six boys
'I don’t forgive you but I don’t judge you': Ex-school principal jailed for indecently assaulting six boys
The injured parties were aged between 10 and 13 when Aidan Clohessy's offending took place at St Augustine's School, Blackrock, Co Dublin

Tue, 24 Jun, 2025

Never leave your drink alone
10% of those attending sexual assault treatment units reported multiple assailants
One in ten people attending Ireland's six SATUs last year said they had been assaulted by two or more individuals

Sun, 22 Jun, 2025

CC
Irish survivors to tell UN session why they want a ban on use of counselling notes in rape trials
Beyond Surviving founder Ciara Mangan and other Irish representatives will tell the meeting in Geneva that defence lawyers' use of a victim's clinical notes can cause 'significant harm and suffering'

Sun, 15 Jun, 2025

Good Friday Service in Chicago
Number of historical abuse allegations against Church rise by over 50% in a year
It is the highest number of new allegations in any reporting period since figures began to be published annually in 2009

Tue, 10 Jun, 2025

Gender based violence survivors
Open letter to ministers: Stop the use of clinical notes in rape cases
More than 60 professionals have co-signed a letter to five ministers saying defence lawyers should not be able to use clinical/therapy notes of rape and sexual assault victims as evidence in court

Mon, 09 Jun, 2025

Three sisters who suffered their father's sexual abuse for years publish audiobook for survivors
Three sisters who suffered their father's sexual abuse for years publish audiobook for survivors
June, Joyce, and Paula Kavanagh have published an audiobook called The Grip of Childhood Sexual Abuse, in which they share their insights on navigating life as survivors

Wed, 04 Jun, 2025

Mother launches 'Francis' Law' campaign to end sentence reductions for rape
Mother launches 'Francis' Law' campaign to end sentence reductions for rape
Georgina Tuohey launches Francis' Law to scrap automatic mitigation and remission after Offaly rapist's sentence cut, arguing justice system fails victims

Tue, 03 Jun, 2025

Dramatic portrait of sad scared young woman on smart mobile phone suffering cyber bullying and harassment. feeling lonely, depre
Over 22,000 helpline calls to DRCC as survivors seek support in record numbers
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre says record-high contacts are linked to media reports and growing fears over online content

Thu, 29 May, 2025

Courts of Criminal Justice, Dublin
Man tells court it became a 'challenge' to access 900 images of child sexual abuse
The defendant was handed a two-year sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions on Thursday

Thu, 22 May, 2025

Department accused of 'institutional gaslighting' over abuse survivor supports
Department accused of 'institutional gaslighting' over abuse survivor supports
Mike Finnegan's complaint to Sipo comes after lengthy correspondence with the minister about the full implementation of the recommendations made by Dr Shannon — which have not all been done

Wed, 21 May, 2025

Patrick O'Brien
New file shows State ignored warnings as convicted rapist and ‘psychotic’ wife adopted child
Despite clear psychiatric warnings and knowledge of abuse, the State allowed Fiona Doyle’s parents to adopt another child

Wed, 14 May, 2025

James Gilleran CCJ1
Sexual abuse victim reported ex-scout leader after seeing him on Late Late Show, court told
James Gilleran got two years for sexually abusing three boys almost 40 years ago

Tue, 13 May, 2025

Government accused of failing Grace abuse victims amid backlash over Farrelly report findings
Government accused of failing Grace abuse victims amid backlash over Farrelly report findings
Government faces renewed criticism as families demand accountability over the treatment of Grace and other survivors

Wed, 07 May, 2025

Grace report: Fran O'Keeffe's family on why they took her out of the same foster home in 1992
Grace report: Fran O'Keeffe's family on why they took her out of the same foster home in 1992
Fran O'Keeffe’s family says the State failed her. After years of silence, they’re speaking out against the Grace case commission report

Tue, 06 May, 2025

child victim of maltreatment family
ISPCC calls for national strategy to fight child sex abuse and exploitation
The organisation’s head of policy and public affairs, Fiona Jennings, said: 'We have tackled divorce, we have tackled marriage equality, we have tackled reproductive rights. Now is the time that we need to tackle child sexual abuse.'

Mon, 05 May, 2025

Prisoner XL
Man bids to overturn conviction for rape of girl, 7, over lack of corroboration warning
An application for a corroboration warning was made during the trial, when the accused man's counsel argued there was an absence of any witness to the offending

Thu, 01 May, 2025

silhouette of depress woman standing in the dark with light shine behind
'We cannot continue to view child sexual abuse as something confined to the past... It is happening today'
90% of survey respondents believe society has failed to address child sexual abuse

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Grace: Children's minister meets head of abuse victim's legal team after 'worrying' intervention
Grace: Children's minister meets head of abuse victim's legal team after 'worrying' intervention
Children's minister Norma Foley has met Marie-Claire Butler after she stated that the Farrelly Commission report had not included the 'considered and extensive submissions' of the general solicitor for minors and wards of court

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

silhouette of depress woman standing in the dark with light shine behind
Submissions from Grace's legal team 'not included in any way' in Farrelly Commission report
The legal team who represented Grace, the profoundly intellectually disabled woman at the centre of the recently published Farrelly Commission report, has claimed none of the "extensive" submissions it made on her behalf were included "in any way" ...

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

IRISH 1 Bishop
Former bishop, who Ferns report found had failed to protect children from clerical sex abuse, has died
The disgraced former Bishop of Ferns, Brendan Comiskey, died aged 89

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Abuse survivor and former Clonmel mayor Michael O’Brien gave 'a voice to the voiceless'
Abuse survivor and former Clonmel mayor Michael O’Brien gave 'a voice to the voiceless'
Michael O’Brien had made an impact on the nation in 2009 when he spoke on RTÉ about the abuse he had suffered at an industrial school

Thu, 24 Apr, 2025

Abuse survivor and former mayor of Clonmel Michael O'Brien dies
Abuse survivor and former mayor of Clonmel Michael O'Brien dies
Mr O'Brien became known nationally following an appearance on RTÉ's 'Question and Answers' in the wake of the publication of the Ryan report into clerical abuse

Tue, 22 Apr, 2025

Trinity College of Dublin
Over 100 reports of sexual assault or harassment made to Irish universities
RCNI director Clíona Saidléar said the number of formal complaints documented by universities is a 'tiny tip of the iceberg'

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

'Red tape and bureaucracy' create barriers to reporting sexual violence at our universities 
'Red tape and bureaucracy' create barriers to reporting sexual violence at our universities 
Advocates say universities must improve their reporting systems when it concerns sexual harassment and assault

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

FILE PHOTO Pictured is Mick Finnegan, one of the abuse survivors who engaged with Dr Geoffrey Shannon in the creation of the rep
Supports for St John Ambulance  abuse survivors 'misrepresented' 
Man abused by former charity volunteer says survivors have been 'left to seek support on their own, without genuine initiative or adequate assistance from St John Ambulance Ireland'

Mon, 21 Apr, 2025

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