Helpline for child abuse victims

VICTIMS of child abuse here have flooded a British-based helpline to such an extent that the founder is now going to set up an office in Dublin.

Colm O’Gorman, who came to public attention in April because of his frank admissions in a BBC documentary of being abused by paedophile priest Fr Seán Fortune, runs a support group in Britain called One In Four. Since the abuse in the diocese of Ferns in Co Wexford came under media spotlight culminating in the resignation of the Bishop of Ferns Dr Brendan Comiskey, this counselling service has been inundated with appeals for help.

Mr O’Gorman, who suffered years of abuse at the hands of Fr Fortune from the age of 14, is going to return to Ireland to set up an office for the service in Dublin to make it easier for victims here to make contact and get help.

The One In Four organisation differs from many other support groups in that everyone who works there has had a personal experience of the horror and trauma involved in sexual abuse.

“We have been to the same place as the people who ring us and that makes a difference,” Mr O’Gorman said.

“I think there is a need for our services in Ireland. Our website got 600 hits alone over the weekend and we usually get around 1,000 hits a week, usually from Ireland.”

Mr O’Gorman, who has also taken a leading role in advising the Government investigation into the abuse at Ferns, said the group has already given advice to Irish victims on how to make allegations against their tormentors to the authorities.

According to Mr O’Gorman, many of these victims have already taken the first step and reported the abuse to gardaí, who have begun investigating a number of claims.

“I am spending two to three days a week dealing with victims ringing from Ireland so we thought it was time to set up over there,” he said.

He has already found suitable premises and hopes to have the Dublin office up and running by October or November.

“Everybody has a horrific story to tell, but everybody’s story is unique. We are going to provide the help these survivors need,” Mr O’Gorman said.

One In Four can be contacted at 0044 20 86972112 or via its website at www.oneinfour.org