Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is also an impression that these referrals are categorised as low priority cases. However, as is well known, often survivors of the most extreme child sexual abuse do not summon up the courage to come forward until they are in adulthood. The research has well-established that a large proportion of people who experience child sexual abuse delay disclosure. What is more, the cases should not be described as retrospective as many adult disclosures could involve a risk of child abuse.

I welcome that the Minister will talk with Tusla next week. I ask that the draft policy would become a working tool document. We need to address the matter right across the country because in the HIQA report from the midlands it is highlighted as a significant risk. In fact, although we are addressing it, we are not doing so fast enough because an adult making a disclosure was once a child and the abuser is more than likely still at large, and we need to protect other children. That is where I am coming from.

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