Child sex abuse survivors wait 25 years for help

Child sex abuse survivors suffer in silence for a quarter of a century before seeking help for their trauma.

Figures from the country’s 15 rape crisis centres show most people contacting the services last year needed help for abuse they endured as children, and that they waited, on average, 25 years before coming forward.

The statistics prompted a call by Rape Crisis Network Ireland for a yes vote in Saturday’s children’s rights referendum. RCNI director Fiona Neary said: “We must make changes to become a society that listens to children and takes responsibility for their wellbeing.”