Number of children referred for sex offences doubles in 10 years

Research conducted by Rape Crisis Network Ireland in 2013 found that child perpetrators were most likely to abuse those of a similar or younger age. Eleven years later the situation is worse.

The number of children and teens being referred for committing sexual offences has almost doubled over the past decade.

The startling rise has led to calls for better responses to child perpetrators of these crimes.

In 2010 the number of minors reported to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme for sexual offences was just 72.

By 2013, the number of referrals had risen to 248. Last year, this number had rocketed to 462.

The period between 2010 and 2011 saw the most drastic rise in these referrals jumping from 72 to 240.

In total since 2010, 4,767 young people have been referred to the programme for sexual offences.

The Garda Youth Diversion Programme aims to prevent young people from entering the criminal justice system. It is open to children between the age of 12 and 18 but in the case of certain serious crimes, 10- and 11-year-olds can be considered.

The decision to admit a person to the diversion programme depends on factors including the nature of the offence, the views of the victim, and the offending history of the individual.

The figures include all offences except for those relating to prostitution.

The figures, provided to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín also show that a further 3,284 referrals for sexual crimes between 2010 and 2023 were deemed unsuitable.

Research conducted by Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) in 2013 into children's experiences of sexual violence found that 37% of perpetrators were under the age of 18.

It found that child perpetrators were most likely to abuse those of a similar or younger age.

Ten years on, research from the CSO shows how the issue has grown.

The CSO Sexual Violence Survey 2022: Childhood Experiences found that 73% of 18-24-year-olds who had experienced contact sexual violence as a child reported that a child was the perpetrator. The equivalent figure for those aged 65 and over was 17%.

CEO of RCNI Dr Clíona Saidlear said the research shows that this is a major issue of concern.

"What we need are fit-for-purpose responses to child perpetrators. We need intervention to prevent those at risk from committing sexual violence crimes from doing so," said Dr Saidlear.

While the current Diversion Programme will stop some from reoffending, she believes that there needs to be a youth diversion programme that is specifically focused on sexual violence.

Similarly, the current focus of the development and resourcing of perpetrator programmes in the national Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Strategy is on adults only.

"RCNI are calling for specialised adolescent sexual violence perpetrator and prevention programmes to be developed," said Dr Saidlear.

She added: "A diversion programme can never be a soft option for perpetrators. All victims deserve justice and that must remain the primary focus."

The most recent statistics include incidents related to child sexual abuse imagery, something gardaí have warned about in the past.

Last year, gardaí said that there had been an alarming rise in young people engaged in sharing intimate or nude images.