One in Four offers support for Commission’s historical abuse survey

One in Four this week welcomed the launch of the public survey by the Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Schools and is providing independent support to anyone considering taking part.

The survey forms part of the Commission’s work examining how concerns of historical child sexual abuse were handled in schools.

Deirdre Kenny, CEO of One in Four, said child sexual abuse is an abuse of power and a breach of trust, stressing that schools should be safe places for children to learn and belong. She noted that when abuse occurs in a school setting and a child is not believed, it can damage trust in adults and institutions, making it difficult for survivors to come forward even many years later.

One in Four will offer clear information about participation, answer practical questions and help people access emotional and psychological supports. Contacting the charity does not commit anyone to completing the survey.

The service is dedicated to those considering or taking part in the Commission’s survey and is separate from One in Four’s general counselling, advocacy and support services. Details of the survey and the Survey Participation Guide are available at yourvoicematters.ie.

Source: Dublin Gazette. Photo: Jakub Zerdzicki / Pexels.