Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the annual report launched by the One in Four organisation. One in Four provides group treatment programmes to sexual abuse victims and offenders. Its treatment programmes also cover families, including wives, husbands, partners and parents. The treatment programmes are evidence-based and they work. Most importantly, these treatment programmes protect our children.

I raise this issue to help us all to continue to protect our children. The vast majority of sexual abuse happens within families. Most offenders will never face a criminal trial as the victims rarely report the crimes, which are kept secret within families. Extremely worrying is the fact that over 40% of offenders are under the age of 18. Tonight's edition of "Would You Believe" to be broadcast on RTE 1 is entitled "Beyond Redemption?". I ask Members to watch the programme and to consider its content and how we can make Ireland safer from the abuses discussed. We could have a wider discussion and debate in time.

I will be discussing this matter as a member of the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs to which I hope we can invite Maeve Lewis from One in Four to discuss its annual report. One in Four is completely overburdened. It provides counselling to 116 adult survivors of child sexual abuse and 40 families. It provides almost 3,000 therapy hours and practical information on child protection notifications. One in Four worked with 38 sex offenders and 19 wives during 2015. There is now a delay of up to six months for people waiting for an appointment with One in Four. From my experience as a psychiatric nurse and having dealt with victims and offenders of sexual abuse, I encourage the House to have a wider discussion on this. I welcome and am grateful for the extremely difficult work One in Four does and, again, encourage Members to view the "Would You Believe?" programme tonight.