Vol. 423 No. 1
267 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on recent comments (details supplied) that only half of those referred to the Central Mental Hospital following alleged incest offences actually receive psychiatric treatment; and the steps he proposes to take in conjunction with the Minister for Justice to ensure that this unsatisfactory situation is dealt with urgently.
The specialist counselling services for perpetrators of child sex abuse which are available at the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum have been developed as part of a National Forensic Service by the Eastern Health Board. The programme which has been developed at the hospital helps the offender examine their offending behaviour and how not to re-offend.
Since the programme was initiated approximately half of those referred have refused treatment. The programme is designed to counsel those who voluntarily opt to participate following referral to the service. Many alleged perpetrators of child sex abuse do not admit to offending behaviour and are therefore not willing to participate in the programme. Those who initially refuse treatment are given the option of joining the treatment programme at a later stage.
