Record numbers seek help for historical child sex abuse — most of them men
One in Four CEO Deirdre Kenny said developments including the abuse scoping inquiry 'have helped create an environment in which survivors, especially men, felt able to come forward and seek support.' Picture: iStock
There was a “record-breaking” increase in the number of adult survivors of child sex abuse seeking support last year — most of them men.
Specialist support service for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse One in Four saw demand for its services increase by 17% last year.
The organisation delivered support sessions to some 1,292 individuals, while requests for its advocacy services also increased by more than 20%.
The percentage of male survivors coming forward has also reached a historic high, according to the organisation, climbing to 62% from 48%.
The increased contact to One in Four from survivors last year followed the publication of the initial stages of a major inquiry into abuse in schools.
The scoping inquiry documented almost 2,400 allegations of child sexual abuse at 308 schools run by religious orders between the early 1960s and the early 1990s.
The allegations were made in respect of 884 alleged abusers.
It was initiated in 2022 following revelations of historical sexual abuse at Blackrock College in Dublin, and other schools run by the Spiritan Order.
The scoping inquiry examined schools run by Catholic religious institutions.
Following these initial stages of investigation, education minister Helen McEntee last July announced a commission of investigation into historical sexual abuse in all day and boarding schools.
This new commission has been given a broader remit and will focus on investigating the handling of allegations or concerns of sexual abuse by those in authority across all day and boarding schools, primary and post-primary, in the State.
It will be chaired by Justice Michael MacGrath.
One in Four CEO Deirdre Kenny said: “When the State talks honestly about child sexual abuse and demonstrates that survivors will be heard, people respond."
As Ireland grapples with the consequences of decades of abuse, One in Four has warned that today’s children face new risks, especially in the rapidly changing online world.
Recent research by One in Four found 91% of Irish adults agree that State and society have failed to do enough to tackle child sexual abuse.
A further 82% of adults believe that sexual violence in childhood is far more common than is publicly acknowledged.
Ms Kenny said: “While the commission of investigation will play a crucial role in examining decades of child sexual abuse in schools and uncovering the lessons of our past, it is essential that our focus does not overlook the risks children face today.”
"Only by working together—State and community—can Ireland move beyond the rear-view mirror, confronting ongoing dangers and making sure every child is safe from harm.”
Gardaí last week warned that children as young as five were now being targeted online for sexual exploitation by international gangs.
More than 100 child victims of online sexual abuse have been identified by gardaí since the start of 2024.
Those children have been identified amid an ever-evolving landscape of criminal sexual behaviour online, where the dangers for children have been heightened and compounded by developments in artificial intelligence.
Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau said: “We would really urge parents to have open conversations with their kids about their experiences online. The tide of content is growing and growing.”
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