Wednesday, November 06, 2024

Almost 700 new contacts to gardaí over alleged sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders since scoping report appeal

Gardaí have received nearly 700 contacts since their appeal relating to historical sexual abuse at schools run by religious orders.

The Scoping Inquiry into claims of abuse found there were 2,395 allegations in respect of 308 schools recorded by the religious orders that ran them.

The allegations were made in respect of 884 alleged abusers.

The inquiry has recommended that the Government consider a redress scheme for survivors of historical sexual abuse who went to schools run by religious orders.

It has also recommended that the Government approach relevant orders about contributing to redress.

Senior officials within the Government will have to make recommendations to the Commission of Investigation before any proposals for compensation for victims are signed off on.

In a statement, An Garda Síochána said 675 reports had been made since September 4.

It is not ­providing further detail on the nature of these contacts.

It said it is in the process of making direct contact with everyone who has come forward and that each person “will be given the time and space to discuss their personal experience”.

“An Garda Síochána will continue to support each person through the process at the pace and to the extent that they wish to engage with us,” it added.

The force said its overall response is being co-ordinated by the Sexual Crime Management Unit at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB).

Close to 600 people have been in touch with an organisation that works with adult survivors of childhood abuse

Individual investigations will be carried out by dedicated trained gardaí attached to the protective service units in each garda division.

Anyone who wishes to report a crime relating to historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders is being urged to contact gardaí.

Meanwhile, close to 600 people have been in touch with an organisation that works with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse since the publication of the report into abuse at schools run by religious orders.

Deirdre Kenny, CEO of One in Four, said many people who have been in touch with the charity were coming forward for the first time.

“We have had close to 600 people in touch since September to early October, on foot of the Scoping Inquiry report,” she said.

“They are new contacts, people who haven’t reached out to us before.

“On average, over a year we would generally work with between 850 and 950 people, so there has been a surge.

“Some people will have reached out because of the details in the scoping report.

“They’ll have reached out for the first time because they were able to identify with the stories in the report and expressed upset and told us about their own experience of sexual abuse in school. Many of them were male and they were also older.”

Ms Kenny said One in Four has been providing information and support to those who have been in contact.

For the purpose of reporting to gardaí, email GNPSB_SCMU@garda.ie or phone the Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line on 1800 555 222. This is a confidential and free service available 24/7.