Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 March 2018
548. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of retrospective reports of child sexual violence Tusla has categorised as founded and unfounded for each of the past 12 months in tabular form; and if this information is not available, the reason these figures are not recorded. [13795/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA historical or retrospective allegation is where an adult discloses abuse experienced in childhood. It is my understanding that the majority of these disclosures concern sexual abuse. This is a very complex and worrying situation.
It is important to note that all child protection referrals which allege current or past criminal activity are referred to An Garda Síochána. Tusla's focus is to assess retrospective or historical allegations to determine any indication of current risk to children. In cases of an urgent risk to a child, the disclosure is acted upon immediately.
In order to proceed with an assessment of current risk an adult may pose to children, Tusla is dependent on the person making an allegation engaging directly with them, and being prepared for their identity to be shared with the alleged abuser.
Tusla has a limited role where there is no evidence of a current risk to children. In relation to the adult making the disclosure of abuse, Tusla may assist them in accessing HSE counselling services.
Tusla publish their performance and activity data monthly, and quarterly in arrears.
Table 1 lays out the number of cases of retrospective abuse allocated and waiting allocation for January - December 2017. It should be noted that the December figure is a draft figure based on returns from 14.5 of 17 areas.
|
- |
Jan’17 |
Feb’17 |
Mar’17 |
Apr’17 |
May’17 |
Jun’17 |
Jul’17 |
Aug’17 |
Sep’17 |
Oct’17 |
Nov’17 |
Dec’17 |
|
Allocated |
1,114 |
1,144 |
1,141 |
1,264 |
1,292 |
1,326 |
1,370 |
1,397 |
1,377 |
1,443 |
1,473 |
1,259 |
|
Waiting Allocation |
871 |
841 |
754 |
661 |
590 |
572 |
579 |
561 |
501 |
479 |
436 |
394 |
|
Open Cases |
1,985 |
1,985 |
1,895 |
1,925 |
1,882 |
1,898 |
1,949 |
1,958 |
1,878 |
1,922 |
1,909 |
1,653 |
|
Referrals |
93 |
122 |
139 |
83 |
141 |
90 |
99 |
118 |
103 |
105 |
125 |
128 |
|
Total |
3970 |
4092 |
3929 |
3933 |
3905 |
3886 |
1949 |
4034 |
3859 |
3949 |
3943 |
3434 |
