From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., has welcomed the decision by the Board of St. John Ambulance Ireland to commission an independent review into the management of historical child sexual abuse within the organisation.
St John Ambulance Ireland wrote to the Minister today, 8th March, stating that the review would be carried out by Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, an internationally recognised expert in child protection.
Commenting on the review, Minister O’Gorman said:
“I met with the Board of St John Ambulance last December in relation to this matter and I am very glad to learn that they have arranged for an independent review into historical allegations of child sexual abuse and current safeguarding practices.
"I welcome the appointment of Dr. Shannon to conduct this important review and note his extensive experience and expertise in this area. I look forward to St. John Ambulance providing me with his report on the matter at the earliest possible time.”
Dr. Shannon is a leading authority on child protection and child and family law. During three successive terms as Special Rapporteur for Child Protection, Dr. Shannon produced 12 annual reports as well as a range of reports on matters relating to child protection. Dr. Shannon has also served as Chairperson of the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
The terms of reference set out that Dr. Shannon will review how the organisation handled past allegations of child sexual abuse, relating to one volunteer, and will also examine the current standard of child safeguarding.
The Minister also said:
“I wish to commend the individuals who have, at immense personal cost in some cases, had the courage to share their experiences. I would like to encourage anybody who has knowledge of these matters to come forward and speak with Dr. Shannon. I would also support any person who has experienced abuse themselves, or has reason to believe that a child is at risk of abuse, to speak to Tusla, or the Gardaí.”
ENDS
St. John Ambulance Ireland (SJAI) is aware of a number of complaints of sexual abuse of members under the age of 18 years relating to one former volunteer member who ceased volunteering with SJAI circa 2000/1. The Board of St. John Ambulance Ireland has commissioned an independent review to undertake a review of the adequacy and effectiveness of:
I. the manner in which the aforesaid complaints in relation to sexual abuse made to the SJAI were dealt with when first made taking into account government guidance and SJAI policies on child protection available at that time (see Appendix I); the manner in which such complaints were dealt with when re-reported in 2013 taking into account government guidance on child protection and SJAI policies available at that time (see Appendix I);
II. whether there were any other complaints (whether in writing or verbal to any person in a position of authority) regarding grooming or abuse in relation to the volunteer concerned over his period of involvement with SJAI, and
III. any other complaints (whether in writing or verbal to any person in a position of authority) relating to any other individual based on reports made to and/or records held by SJAI: and
I. the adequacy of arrangements now in place for the protection of children and vulnerable adults who may come into membership of SJAI having regard to TUSLA’s assessment in July 2019;
all with a view to identifying learning and making recommendations for the organisation.
The Report will be to the Board of SJAI.
Members of SJAI will offer full co-operation with the reviewer as she/he determines.