Website can help abuse victims, says Church

A new child protection website proves the Catholic Church is determined to support victims of abuse and safeguard children in the future, it was claimed today.

The site, www.cpo.ie, provides resources and contacts for priests and volunteers working with children in parishes across Ireland. It will also advise anyone with fears over abuse.

Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Sean Brady said the website would assist the Church’s promise to support, protect and advise priests and lay people.

“The Child Protection Office’s website is a testimony to the Church’s commitment to protecting children and young people in our parishes,” he said.

“The material available on the site will provide great support to all those, both lay and ordained, involved in ministries with children.”

The website, set up by the Child Protection Office (CPO) of the Irish Bishops’ Conference, offers,

:: Access to local delegates through an interactive map of dioceses,

:: Advice on how to make a complaint concerning child sexual abuse,

:: Frequently asked questions section,

:: Child protection publications commissioned by the Irish Bishops’ Conference,

:: Archive of press releases,

:: Search and links section giving contact details to church, statutory and voluntary organisations for children and adults with child protection concerns.

The CPO, set up in 2001, gives advice to bishops, priests and lay people around Ireland on best practice for child protection.

Paul Bailey, CPO executive director, said the site was designed to target two key audiences – victims of child abuse and those responsible for child protection in the church.

“This new facility will assist volunteers and priests at parish level working with children and young people,” Mr Bailey said.

“It is our intention to maintain the site as a ‘live’ medium allowing it to evolve into the future so as to reflect national and international developments in the area of child protection.”

He added the site would keep the media and public decision makers informed about the Church’s responsibilities and initiatives regarding child protection.