No bad guys, but still a disgrace

CONSIDERING all the efforts that have gone into revealing and, ultimately, all but ending clerical child abuse is it possible that we are about to fail another generation of vulnerable young people who experience sexual maltreatment in their families and communities?

According to a leading sex abuse charity, it is already happening.

The annual report of the One In Four group, published yesterday, reveals that cuts in Government funding has led to the repeated closure of its waiting list for counselling services. Last year the charity had to close its waiting list for services for four months as it could not afford to pay enough counsellors. Already this year, it has had to close for five months. Tragically, three traumatised people who sought their help took their own lives while on a waiting list to see counsellors.