HSE 'failing' children at risk of sex offending

Children and teenagers at risk of becoming sex offenders are being neglected by major gaps in the health service, it was claimed today.

A new report found a complete lack of services are in place for an estimated 3,000 sexual predators who could be deemed at risk.

The research showed treatments are inconsistent throughout the county, with some areas having no services at all.

The study, commissioned by Nota (National Association for the Treatment of Abusers), is the first independent audit on services for children, adolescents and adults who have sexually harmed others.

Chairwoman Olive Travers called for a national treatment plan to target abusers.

“A large number of children, particularly adolescents, have sexually harmful behaviour and we can no longer say we don’t know what to do,” said Ms Travers.

“All the research shows us that if we intervene with children and adolescents, if they receive treatment, they are less likely to offend in adulthood.”

Ms Travers criticised the severe lack of records on the exact number of suspected sex offenders in Ireland.

But she revealed there are an estimated 3,000 perpetrators in the community - with just 10% to 20% having a conviction.

“The main reason so few predators of sex abuse come before the court is because the victim is within the family,” she continued.

“What we are looking for is a response on the ground to their treatment needs in order to make them safe and make children safer.

“Treatment equals prevention.”

Ms Travers said the Roscommon incest case demonstrated the reality that women do offend.

“There are many more cases of women perpetrators of sexual abuse that never come to public attention,” she said.

“But if the public are not aware of it, or refuse to believe or accept it, how can victims come forward and report it.”

Ms Travers wants funding to meet new measures to come from funds which health chiefs now pay out to the private sector.

Nota maintained the HSE spends €220,000 a year getting reports on child abusers from private clinics, and up to €350,000 a year each time an abusive child is sent to the UK for residential treatment.

“We estimated the cost to the State of treating the most serious sexual abuse cases of €100,000 would be recouped many times over by preventing the creating of further victims,” added Ms Travers.