Harney has ‘open mind’ on mandatory abuse reporting
The children’s charities, Barnardos and the ISPCC, have been leading calls for designated professionals to be legally obliged to report known or suspected child abuse to authorities.
Barnardos chief executive, Fergus Finlay, said the reporting of alleged abuse should not be a “matter of discretion for anyone.”
“The abuse of children is facilitated by a closed and secretive environment. That secrecy must be replaced by the introduction of obligatory mandatory reporting, underpinned by law. Mandatory reporting will require an investment. But it is one of a number of measures which have to be introduced to ensure that children are adequately protected.”
He yesterday cited the litany of reports on child abuse, like the Madonna House Inquiry and the Murphy Inquiry into abuse within the Irish Amateur Swimming Association which have made child sex abuse a “high profile” issue.
“There is enquiry after enquiry but after two days, the issues all fade into the background. We can’t let this happen again,” he said.
Yesterday, the Tánaiste admitted she was “very taken aback” that the Ferns report was against mandatory reporting.
The report’s author had argued that mandatory reporting might make it more difficult for those who are abused to come forward.
“I think the Government has to carefully examine whether or not we should pursue the question of mandatory reporting.
“We certainly need a culture of mandatory reporting. Whether or not we need that backed by statute is another issue,” she said.
The Tánaiste also said it was clear that provisions were needed in the country’s criminal justice legislation to make it a criminal offence for anybody to protect a child abuser.
A spokeswoman for the Health Service Executive said they were committed to implementing the recommendations of the Ferns inquiry and that counselling services were now readily available to victims of abuse - an area for which the former South East Health Board had been criticised in the inquiry.
“It is important to recognise that victims of abuse are entitled to closure on past events and to privacy. We acknowledge the pain that victims are going through and regret if any former SEHB action contributed to that.
“Any member of the public who has any concerns in relation to the protection or welfare should contact their local health service office where advice and information will be given,” she said.
