Rise in teen use of abuse services

THE number of 14-year- olds being counselled following sexual assault in Cork almost doubled between 2009 and 2010 and many of the alleged abusers were other teenagers.

Director of the city’s Sexual Violence Centre Mary Crilly expressed concern at the increase in young teenagers attending the service and said she believes pornography and the hypersexualisation of society are factors in the abuse.

Last year 42 young people aged 14 were counselled at the service, compared to 25 in 2009.