Parents advised legal delays must not discourage reporting of crimes

PARENTS of children who have suffered sexual abuse have been urged not to let negative revelations about the legal system put them off reporting crimes.

Psychologists have said landmark research, which this week showed the lengthy delays and difficult procedures facing victims also revealed how people can be helped cope with the ordeal.

On Monday, the Irish Examiner exclusively revealed how children as young as three are the victims of abuse, the quickest they can expect to see their cases progress through the gardaí and prosecution services is 15 months.

It also explored the experiences of victims and their families, and how the lack of support made it very difficult for the most vulnerable children.

However, senior clinical psychologist at St Clare’s treatment unit in Temple Street children’s hospital, Dr Derek Deasy, said people should still be encouraged to report crimes.

“Firstly, we found that vulnerable children said they had a very difficult experience, but the better adjusted children were different.

“This is saying it does not have to be as difficult an experience as some people find it, especially if they get proper support through the system,” he said.

He said this aspect of the research made it all the more important to ensure there was sufficient support for victims and their families.

One of the key findings was that only one quarter of victims whose cases had been dealt with by the DPP’s office definitely had professional help.

“That means there is a window there for support services to get involved and make it so that children can cope with the situation.

“I think it’s an opportunity for therapeutic intervention to those who need it,” he said.

This was supported by the manager of the ISPCC’s Leanbh service, Mary Nicholson, who said every child must be educated to deal with situations of abuse and encouraged to report crimes.

“What we try to do is not scare parents or children, but instead keep them informed, and try to link them up with the necessary supports. But we also have to improve the systems so once they do report abuse there is enough support,” she said.

Ms Nicholson said in particular there was a need for a victim’s advocate to become part of the court process where children have to play a part.

She said young children could not be expected to appreciate the legal system as adults would, and needed an independent agent to act on their behalf.