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Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Schools


Overview

The government has approved the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Schools, which was the primary recommendation of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry.

The Minister for Education Helen McEntee has appointed Mr. Justice Michael MacGrath to chair the Commission of Investigation.

Access the Terms of Reference.

Purpose

The Commission will investigate the handling of concerns of historical child sexual abuse in schools, as set out in its Terms of Reference.

Survivor engagement

The Commission of Investigation will have a significant Survivor Engagement Programme. Further information on how the Commission will engage with survivors of historical child sexual abuse in schools will be published on this website as the Commission progresses. When the Commission is ready to gather information from survivors, this will be widely advertised, and further information will be posted on this website at that time. This will happen in the coming months, after an initial phase of preliminary work.

Support for Survivors

Support for those who have experienced sexual abuse is available from a number of agencies listed below. If you are unsure about what type of support you need, speaking to your GP is advised.

One in Four

One in Four provides support for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse:

National Counselling Service

The HSE’s National Counselling Service provides a professional, confidential counselling and psychotherapy service to people age 18 or older who experienced childhood abuse. Access to the service can be made by self-referral or referral by a GP.

The service is available in all HSE Health Regions. Contact information varies depending on your location in Ireland but contact details for each local area can be found at: Referring yourself to the NCS.

Connect Counselling

Connect Counselling is a HSE telephone counselling and support service for adults who have experienced childhood abuse. It is staffed by qualified counsellors and is available Wednesday to Sunday evenings from 5pm-9pm.

Republic of Ireland: Freephone 1800 477 477

Northern Ireland and UK: 00800 477 477 77

Outside ROI and UK: 00353 (0)1 865 7495

Website: connectcounselling.ie

Rape Crisis Centre

Offering a free and confidential listening and support service for anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, sexually harassed or sexually abused at any time in their lives.

24-hour National Helpline: 1800 77 88 88

Email: counselling@rcc.ie (office hours)

An Garda Síochána

Child Sexual Abuse Freephone - 24-hour line for reporting a complaint of child sexual abuse: 1800 555 222

Complaints of sexual abuse can also be made in any local Garda station.

Samaritans

Samaritans is available for confidential, non-judgmental, listening support. You can call or email Samaritans anytime, day and night:

Pieta

Pieta provide counselling at their centres nationwide, and telephone support. Their services are for people who are at risk of suicide or self-harm, and for people who have been bereaved by suicide:

  • freephone 1800 247 247 anytime, day or night
  • text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply)
  • visit www.pieta.ie for more information

Text About It

A free text service providing emotional support to anyone experiencing a crisis, through engagement in a text conversation with a trained and supervised volunteer:

Mental Health Information

Visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie for information on how to mind your mental health, support others, or to find a service in your area. On the site you can find information on supports provided by HSE-funded organisations, including self-help, counselling, helplines and online supports. You can also call the HSE Your Mental Health Information Line on freephone 1800 111 888 for information on mental health services in your area. The Information Line is open anytime, day or night.

Support for Survivors overseas

Britain

For those living in Britain who would like to avail of supports locally, there are a number of organisations – financially supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs through the Emigrant Support Programme - that offer support.

ICAP

ICAP is the only specialist British-based counselling and psychotherapy service supporting people from the Irish community facing a range of emotional issues, including depression, anxiety and stress. They have particular expertise in working with those who have survived childhood abuse and offer a free therapy service to survivors of institutional abuse:

London Irish Centre

The London Irish Centre’s survivors integrated service provides support and advocacy to survivors and former residents of Irish institutions living in London and the South East. They can be contacted on 0207 916 2222, and community@londonirishcentre.org

Further information is available.

Fréa – Renewing Roots

Fréa – Renewing Roots is a partnership between Irish Community Care, Leeds Irish Health and Homes, and Irish Community Care Manchester, that supports survivors and former residents of Irish institutions, as well as offering emotional and practical support. Phone: 07458 138 682, email: renewingroots@frea.org.uk

Further information is available.

Coventry Irish Society

Coventry Irish Society works with survivors and former residents of Irish institutions. Phone: 0247 625 6629, Email: simon.mccarthy@covirishsoc.org.uk

Further information is available.

United States

The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres provides support to the Irish/Irish American communities they serve. Further information is available and details of the centres are available.

Other countries

For people living outside Ireland, Britain and the United States, their local Irish Embassy or Consulate can provide details of organisations who may be able to assist. A list of embassies and consulates is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Reporting an allegation of sexual abuse to An Garda Síochána

If you wish to report an allegation of sexual abuse you can contact your local Garda station, the Garda Sexual Crime Management Unit (01-6663430) or the Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line (1800 555 222), which is a confidential and free service available on a 24/7 basis. Alternatively, you can email GNPSB_SCMU@garda.ie