‘Dearth’ of research into institutional child abuse criticised

MORE research into the area of institutional childhood abuse and suicidal behaviour is needed and should be prioritised, a leading suicide researcher has said.

Dr Ella Arensman of the National Suicide Research Foundation, who along with co-researcher Martina O’Riordan, carried out a study on the topic, found that there is a “dearth” of research in the area, not just in this country but internationally.

The study, commissioned by the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) and published 18 months ago, does reveal that alcohol and drug abuse, along with social isolation, are main factors associated with suicidal behaviour among survivors of institutional child sex abuse.