MORE than 500 people nationwide have come forward to Gardaí with new reports of crimes related to historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders since the beginning of September.
And, Gardaí are continuing to appeal to anyone who wishes to make a complaint to come forward.
This comes in the wake of the Scoping Inquiry, published at the start of September, which revealed 2,395 allegations of historic child rape and sexual abuse in religious-run schools nationwide – including 158 allegations relating to 47 abusers in 16 Limerick schools.
“Since we issued our appeal on Wednesday, 4th September, we have received over 500 contacts, with the majority being older males who are sharing their experiences with An Garda Síochána for the first time,” a Garda statement said.
“An Garda Síochána continues a process of making direct contact back with each individual person who has contacted us. This is a very sensitive process. Each person will be given the time and space to discuss their personal experience and An Garda Síochána will continue to support each person through the process at the pace and to the extent that they wish to engage with us.”
The reports have been made predominately directly to the Sexual Crime Management Unit at Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) by email and telephone, but also by the Child Sexual Abuse Reporting phone line and in person at individual Garda Stations.
For reporting to An Garda Síochána, the following options are available: by email via [email protected]; by phoning the Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line on 1800 555 222; or by calling into a local Garda Station
Anyone contacting An Garda Síochána will receive personal contact as soon as possible.
An Garda Síochána’s overall response is being coordinated by the Sexual Crime Management Unit at the GNPSB.
Individual investigations will be carried out by dedicated trained Gardaí attached to Divisional Protective Service Units in each Garda Division.
Any resources required will be made available to support each individual who has or may come forward to report a crime to An Garda Síochána.
