Removing barriers to assist disclosure of child sexual abuse

We need to develop societies and structures that encourage victims to come forward, facilitate them doing so, and support them throughout, writes Joseph Mooney

In 2015, adults interviewed as part of a study called How Adults Tell recounted their experiences of disclosure to child protections services. Ultimately, that study argued that the system itself acts as a barrier to adults coming forward. One interviewee summed this up, saying, “you finally get the courage up to tell somebody… and you become a victim again… you become a victim of the system”.

Covid-19 has affected almost one in eight members of Irish society. Since its onset in early 2020 we have had national and international responses, inter-departmental expert groups established, and the coming together of scientific, economic, and political minds. All important, all necessary.

Now imagine an issue that effects one in four people before they reach the age of 18, has potentially lifelong effects, and which puts future generations at risk of victimisation. Wouldn’t we as a society come together to eliminate such a problem?