VOLUNTEERS in Limerick who listen to children’s problems on a national helpline get calls on a weekly basis from children suffering sexual abuse.
Figures just released by the Childline service of the ISPCC show that the organisation’s call centres reported over 100 contacts made in relation to sexual abuse in the past month.
Ireland’s only 24-hour listening service for children and young people launched its national Christmas appeal as harrowing statistics reveal up to 100 contacts per week from teenagers pertaining to rape.
Paul Goodwin, manager of the Limerick Childline unit, told the Limerick Post that such calls land in to the service “on a weekly basis”.
“Sadly this is a common occurrence. We do a lot of training to not be judgemental and to not be overly directive of what children should do,” the local Childline manager shared.
“We do tell them about their rights, because child abusers go to great lengths to remove any knowledge about those rights from the children they abuse.
“Some children give names, others don’t. It is their decision whether it should be reported further and, if that’s what they want, we explain we can involve Tusla or, if they are in immediate danger, the emergency services such as the Gardaí. They may not feel able to go further for weeks or even years, but we let them know we are here for them, whatever they decide to do”.
The Limerick unit has 20 voluteers and is one of six around the country, which handled more than 120,000 calls last year.
Mairead McGinn, ISPCC director of fundraising, said: “Childline relies heavily on public generosity to help keep us here for every child and young person 24 hours a day.”
“We depend on donations for up to 75 per cent of the funding which keeps us listening 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a real difference and helps to ensure that we always provide a listening ear and support to those who need it.”
To donate to Childline this Christmas, visit ISPCC.ie/christmas-appeal-2023.
