Frances Fitzgerald
Question:81 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health whether he will consider the introduction of mandatory reporting of cases of child sexual abuse. [14649/95]
Written Answers. - Reporting of Child Sex Abuse.
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:82 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that enough information is available to professionals working with children on the guidelines which have been issued in terms of reporting of cases of child sexual abuse; whether he intends to ensure that the guidelines become more widely known; and the work that has been done to date to ensure that the guidelines are made widely available to all the agencies concerned. [14650/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together. The procedure for the reporting of suspected cases of child sexual abuse to the health boards is set out in the guidelines issued by my Department in 1987. These guidelines have been extensively circulated to all relevant agencies, both statutory and non-statutory, involved in the area of child welfare. I am satisfied that the existence of these guidelines is widely known to those who are likely to be professionally concerned with all forms of child abuse and neglect.
Earlier this year, I launched a booklet containing a new procedure for the notification of suspected cases of child abuse between health boards and the Garda Síochána. This document amends the 1987 guidelines in relation to the circumstances in which the health boards and the gardaí are to notify one another of such cases and in relation to the consultations that should take place following a notification. Some 20,000 copies of the booklet have to date been circulated to health services personnel and members of the Garda Síochána.
The new notification procedure is in line with a recommendation of the report of the Kilkenny Incest Investigation. It also gives effect, on an administrative basis, to another recommendation of that report relating to mandatory reporting — in so far as health board personnel and gardaí are concerned.
As I explained to the House on the Adjournment last Wednesday, 4 October, child sexual abuse is one of the most serious crimes that can be committed and every citizen who has reason to believe or suspect that such a crime has been committed should have no hesitation in reporting the matter to the gardaí. I am actively considering whether specific provisions are needed to ensure that cases of child sexual abuse are brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities.