Tackling Child Sexual Abuse

Launch of Report by One in Four

Remarks by Denise Charlton, Chief Executive,

Community Foundation Ireland

Irish Attitudes to Tackling Child Sexual Abuse is a difficult but essential read for all who believe in the protection, safety and rights of our children.

Community Foundation Ireland is partnering with One in Four to raise awareness that sexual violence in childhood remains a systemic problem in 2025.

Together we are doing so by producing research which not only sets out the stark reality about the extent of the crisis – but also identifies critical steps forward.

The Research

The numbers of children and young people being subjected to sexual violence both on and offline remain staggering. Almost 30% of people report direct experiences in childhood rising to over 40% in the 18-24 year old age group.

That any child should have to go through such an experience would be unacceptable that it is happening so often and to so many is unforgivable.

We owe it to future generations to act now. This research highlights the importance of partnership with all strands of our society coming together with a shared vision supported by integrated resources.

No sector or group must shirk or walk away from its responsibilities.

National Conversation

Parents, teachers, frontline care professionals, community workers, sport and the arts as well as police, the justice system and our policymakers all have contributions to make.

The call for a National Conversation in the findings makes clear that we can only end this crisis by bringing everyone to the table – as a Community Foundation on an equality mission we know that must include children and young people themselves. Their voices must be heard.

We know too not just from this research but from other bodies of work undertaken by our partners the urgent need for serious engagement, investment and leadership from the technology providers.

The hijacking of our children’s sexual development often starts on a mobile, a family tablet, games console or a classroom computer.

Extreme acts are portrayed as the norm to young minds at a crucial period in their development – and often do so by a commercial sex trade which now rivals those peddling drugs in terms of profits made but also the harm done.

Next Steps

We will be hearing a lot more about the detail in the research from the author Karen Hand. She is to be congratulated for an extensive body of work.

We owe it to her, to One in Four but most importantly our children to take it, study it and identify the best ways to motivate everyone and every community to take the next important steps.

Together we must develop effective prevention, appropriate interventions and the national support programmes for individuals, families and communities.

At Community Foundation Ireland this research comes as we mark a significant year.

We are marking 25-years of working with our donors, partners and communities all around Ireland to drive positive social change.

Research such as today’s give us the opportunity to step into the next 25-years.

It allows us to build on the positive impact and change we have already supported by informing our future actions to deliver a better future for all.

On behalf of our donors, philanthropists and all at Community Foundation Ireland I want to congratulate you on this important work.

ENDS

Full Report

The Full Report can be accessed online: One-in-Four-Report.pdf