Therapy files used to ‘get abusers off hook’

DEFENCE solicitors in child abuse cases which go to court are increasingly looking for therapy notes in a bid to “get their client off the hook”, a children’s support group has said.

Children At Risk in Ireland (CARI) launches its annual report today, with helpline figures showing a 38% increase in calls from people regarding sexualised behaviour in young children, and a 13% overall increase in the number of calls received.

However, CARI will use today’s launch to raise its concerns over the “significant increase” in demands for access to files of children attending therapy sessions provided by the organisation.