Adult counselling service report busiest year yet

A counselling service for adults who suffered childhood abuse has had its busiest year ever, it was revealed today.

There were 16 calls a day from traumatised victims last year in the Irish Republic, a quarter involving institutions like schools or church groups, the Connect organisation said.

Ruined relationships, flashbacks if they meet somebody resembling their attacker and mental health problems are among the challenges affecting them, director Anne Richardson said.

“For the last many years in Ireland it has been at the forefront of the media and our papers so it is very much present in daily life here so that can often have the effect of encouraging people to come forward,” she said.

The cases involved sexual, emotional or physical harm. The Catholic church has been rocked in recent years by a string of child abuse scandals.

The service said there were an average of 506 calls per month during 2008, compared to 384 per month in 2007. A quarter of callers said they had been abused in institutions and 23% either have had or currently have claims with the Residential Institutions Redress Board.

Sexual abuse was reported by 22% of callers. Of those, 61% reported that the abuse took place within the family, 27% in the community and 12% in institutions.

Ms Richardson encouraged more men to use the service, and highlighted the 3-1 disparity in the number of calls received compared to women.

“We know that men are as likely to suffer abuse in childhood as women, but they are more reluctant to consider taking counselling than women. There are lot of men who could benefit a great deal from some counselling and support.”

Connect began operating its free and confidential helpline in 2006 and includes members of other support groups. It is part-state funded. Counsellors have backgrounds in nursing, social work or psychology.

Workers experienced a 30% increase across 2007 and 2008.

Ms Richardson added: “That would suggest that more people are using us as a first step to getting help and support for themselves because it is an anonymous service.

It can be quite difficult for people who have experienced abuse. It can very much interfere with the relationship they are involved in, their daily coping in terms of things.

“If they were to see someone who abused them that can be very difficult.”

The number for the service is 1800 235 235.