Homeless child abuse - Society pays for neglect

Five young people who became homeless in Cork city were abused while in care. The abuse ranged from physical to emotional and even sexual abuse in one instance, according to a report compiled by child welfare experts.

The problem of homeless children has been increasing in recent years. It is caused by a variety of problems in the home: family conflict, domestic abuse, drug problems, learning difficulties, neglect and mental problems.

The parents of 15 young people, out of a total of 37 interviewed, were separated or divorced, and a parent had died in seven other cases. Thirteen of the young people had been in residential or foster care, but the report noted that “practically all” were shunted around, which had a negative impact on their already brittle sense of security and stability.