Group issues appeal prior to abuse report release

LEADING support group One in Four has urged people to be on alert for possible depression in sex abuse survivors during the Dublin Diocese report furore, after two suicides were confirmed in the wake of the Ryan Report revelations.

Speaking before the imminent publication of the Dublin Diocese abuse report, One in Four executive director Maeve Lewis said the two deaths were directly linked to the emotional trauma that had been unlocked.

The campaigner said the deaths highlighted the long-term difficulties faced by survivors of abuse and their relatives and it was vital medical services, help lines and family members were on alert for any signs of depression in those who have been affected. “We can’t give out the exact details for obvious reasons but both those people had been in the institutions as children. For many... survivors this information can sadly bring back intense memories for them.

“We... expect similar issues with the Dublin Diocese report and we’ve... issued a joint press release with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre to make sure people are particularly sensitive and supportive of those who will be affected,” she said. Ms Lewis also said it is difficult to meet demand because they are under-resourced. “In the two months after the Ryan Report was released we had more calls than in the whole of 2008.”

While both issues are still seen by some as taboo subjects, there is growing evidence of a psychological link between sex abuse in childhood and the risk of suicide in later life. According to research commissioned by the National Office for Suicide Prevention, the long-term impact on survivors of institutional child sex abuse includes alcohol and drug addiction, depression and suicidal behaviour. The study found some abuse survivors could not sleep with the light off “30 or 40 years” after the abuse.

It also found “many have struggled to build up some level of independence which they did not have for an average of 16 years while they were institutionalised” and were at risk of regressing if they lost their independence.

“My concern is these people are at an increased risk of depression and suicidal behaviour if they have to give up this independence again,” said Dr Ella Arensman.

* One in Four can be contacted at 01 6624070 or www.oneinfour.org