Clerical sex abuse: we have the expertise to help victims
The extent of clerical sex abuse comes as no surprise to anyone working in a rape crisis centre.
Survivors of clerical sex abuse have been attending rape crisis centres throughout Ireland for over 20 years seeking counselling, support and the reassurance that they are believed.
The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) would like publicly to acknowledge the many survivors of clerical sex abuse who have been silenced by a society that refused to believe its religious were capable of sexually abusing and terrorising innocent, vulnerable children.
In the midst of all this public outcry we must not forget the children whose lives were damaged by fear and abuse. For that reason, the Rape Crisis Network Ireland would also like to urge any survivors of clerical sex abuse who are in need of counselling to contact their local rape crisis centre where highly trained professionals specialising in sexual abuse counselling are there to help.
Ingrid Wallace,
RCNI,
Kirwan House,
Flood St,
Galway
