For a comprehensive list of contact details of relevant statutory authorities for reporting allegations of abuse; go to:
https://www.safeguarding.ie/index.php/guidance Appendices and Glossary – APPENDIX D
Towards Healing is a new counselling and support service for survivors of Institutional, Clerical and Religious abuse, funded by the Catholic Church. If you have suffered in this way, Towards Healing will provide services to you no matter where you are currently living.
www.towardshealing.ie
One in Four professionally supports men and women who have experienced sexual violence, many of them during childhood. Our aim is to reduce the incidence of sexual abuse by intervening in key areas of the cycle of abuse. We do this through psychotherapy, advocacy and prevention services.
www.oneinfour.ie
The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCC) has three main aims;
1. To offer advice on best practice in Safeguarding Children
2. To assist in the development of Safeguarding policy, procedures and practice
3. To monitor practice in relation to Safeguarding Children.
The Board has established a Memorandum of Understanding with all Church bodies, to enable the unfettered delivery of its functions.
The Board meets monthly and issues guidance and advice as appropriate. The Board develops annual objectives and produces a report each year on its work, and that of the National Office.
www.safeguarding.ie
An Garda Síochána Freephone
An Garda Síochána launched a dedicated phone line for the reporting of child sexual abuse on the 2/3/17.
The phone line number is 1800 555 222.
This confidential Freephone line will be manned on a 24 hour basis, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This is a Freephone number meaning that there will be no cost to callers from calling this number.
An Garda Síochána encourages victims of child sexual abuse to report any such incident at the earliest opportunity including those incidents of an historical nature.
In conjunction with the launch of the phone line, An Garda Síochána has also published a guide on the options available to people wishing to report child sexual abuse and sexual crime. This guide is available on the Garda Síochána website.
http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/An%20Garda%20Siochana%20Sexual%20Crime%20&%20Child%20Abuse%20Leaflet.pdf
Child Protection & Welfare
The Child and Family Agency has a primary responsibility to promote the safety and well-being of children. An Garda Síochána also have statutory responsibilities for the safety and welfare of children.
Everyone must be alert to the possibility that children with whom they are in contact may be suffering from abuse or neglect. This responsibility is particularly relevant for professionals such as teachers, child care workers, health professionals and those working with adults with serious parenting difficulties. It is also an important responsibility for staff and people involved in sports clubs, community activities, youth clubs, religious/faith sector and other organisations catering for children.
The Agency should always be informed when a person has reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been, is being or is at risk of being abused or neglected.
Child protection concerns should be supported by evidence that indicates the possibility of abuse or neglect.
A concern about a potential risk to children posed by a specific person, even if the children are unidentifiable, should also be communicated to the Agency.
The guiding principles in regard to reporting child abuse or neglect may be summarised as follows:
- the safety and well-being of the child must take priority;
- reports should be made without delay to the Agency.
www.tusla.ie