Sexual abuse support service for children raises 'concern' about impact of AI
Cari, which deals with children up to age 12, says it is “deeply concerned” at the effect AI technology will have.
A sexual abuse treatment service for young children has been inundated with new referrals, including an unprecedented surge in cases involving harmful sexual behaviour among children.
Children at Risk in Ireland (Cari) believes increased exposure to online pornography, online grooming, and image-based abuse is having a “real impact” on young children.
Cari, which deals with children up to age 12, says it is “deeply concerned” at the effect AI technology will have.
Most of the children Cari sees, who are involved in sexually harmful behaviour, are aged between eight and 11 but some are as young as five.
The therapeutic service, with offices in Limerick and Dublin, nearly folded in recent years over an ongoing lack of funding — the bulk of which comes from the State.
But the organisation has restructured and on Wednesday published a new strategy document for the next five years, launched by minister for children Norma Foley.
The document shows Cari delivered almost 1,470 therapeutic and support sessions in 2025, including 390 child therapy sessions, 318 adolescent therapy sessions, and 275 early intervention sessions.
There has also been a significant increase in new referrals and an even bigger rise in sexually harmful behaviour among children.
Figures show:
- In 2024 there were 25 new referrals, including two cases of sexually harmful behaviour (8% of new referrals):
- In 2025 there were 109 new referrals, including 29 cases of sexually harmful behaviour (27% of new referrals).
“Our referrals for sexually harmful behaviour amongst children are increasing yearly,” Cari chief executive and clinical officer Emer O’Neill said.
"This refers to children showing sexualised behaviour that is unsafe, inappropriate for their age, or harmful to themselves or others."
Ms O’Neill said children under 12 cannot process what they see, so they act it out, often with other siblings or peers.
“Increased exposure to online pornography, online grooming and image-based abuse is having a real impact on children. With the emergence of AI-enabled image manipulation, we are deeply concerned that children are increasingly at risk of encountering harmful content.”
The charity’s chairwoman Sarah Jane Judge said children who have been sexually assaulted not only have to cope with the “horrific” violence but do so in silence, can face stigma, and must languish on significant waiting lists for therapy.
She said Cari’s focus is to ensure the abuse “does not define a child’s future”.
Ms Foley described Cari's 2026-2030 document as "ambitious" and congratulated the service for a 24% reduction in its waiting list.
She said she is “shocked and appalled” that AI assistant tools have been, and are being used to generate harmful and illegal “deepfake” sexual images featuring children.
Funding for 2023 shows the Government, through Tusla, provided just over €900,000 to Cari, almost 90% of its funding.
Cari ambassador Tony Delaney, CEO of financial company SYS Group, told the launch he suffered sexual abuse when aged 10 and 11, but never spoke a word about it until he was 39.
He told the minister the “only reason” the Cari strategy document is not "more ambitious", with plans to expand, is because of a “lack of funding”. He said Cari's services should be expanded and be “an essential service” for all children affected.
He said that when he went into Cari it was “on its knees” and he said it is still operating with “handcuffs”.
The Department of Children indicated that the service level agreement between Cari and Tusla for its 2026 funding allocation is currently under discussion.
- To learn more about Cari's services visit www.cari.ie, or call 0818-924567.
- Cormac O'Keefe is Security Correspondent.
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