One-in-four child sex attackers are underage, warns rape crisis charity

THE Rape Crisis Network of Ireland (RCNI) has warned sex attacks by young boys are increasing.

The charity said that in one of every four child sex cases, the offender is under 17. RCNI executive director Fiona Neary said sex offenders start attacking at a young age.

Her comments follow the jailing of a teenage boy for the rape of a 14-year-old girl. Eoghan O’Connell, who was aged 15 at the time, was this week given five years for the attack.

O’Connell, of Dargle Heights, Bray, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to raping the girl after a teenage disco in 2004.

“This is yet another sign that in Ireland our systems for dealing with perpetrators of sexual violence are not addressing the reality of sexual violence crimes, including the fact that a quarter of perpetrators of child sexual abuse are themselves children in the eyes of the law,” said Ms Neary.

She added that the vetting system remains inadequate, saying it will only be activated in future if O’Connell wishes to work in an area with substantial access to children, but not if he works with vulnerable adults.

She said preventative interventions, treatment programmes, probation services and how the criminal justice system deals with sex attackers had to be coordinated to deal with all ages.

“In cases like this, where the perpetrator is 15, or younger, at the time of the offence, he will still be in his 20s when his custodial and post release sex offender supervision ceases.

“He may or may not have accessed any treatment during this time.”

Speaking after the case, Mr Justice Paul Carney said he had certified a point to the appeal court on how 15-year-old rapists should be dealt with by a judge, but had yet to receive guidance.