Boys ‘as likely as girls’ to be victims of online sex abuse

Tip-offs from Irish-based internet users regarding online child sex abuse are now as likely to feature reports of young boys being abused as young girls, according to an expert monitoring group.

Hotline.ie made the comments after it emerged that a six-year-old boy, who has an intellectual disability and is non-verbal, has been taken into care in Co Tipperary after online images — including video — emerged allegedly showing him being abused.

The case was heard before a sitting of the District Court in Tipperary last Thursday, when an order was granted taking him into care.