Summer Break, Silent Struggles

Summer Break, Silent Struggles: major increase in callers reporting physical and sexual abuse 

The hidden dangers faced by children over the summer, including isolation, neglect and sexual and physical abuse 

The Childline team are experiencing a significant increase in contacts now that the summer holidays are officially in full swing. The longer days and the break from the routine of school life has led to an increased risk of isolation, exposure to danger online, abuse and neglect. 

The end of the academic year means that many children will lose connection with their friends from school and the support of the teachers around them.  At school, they can be themselves without fearing the consequences. Consequences that include domestic violence, abuse, neglect and social isolation.

Childline staff and volunteers report that sexual abuse contacts have increased by 10% during the summer holidays, while reports of physical abuse have risen by 24% at the same time. There have been over 100 contacts for both sexual and physical abuse during the summer holidays.

Others who contact Childline also reveal concerns about food poverty, social isolation and financial issues.

Many of these children dread the summer and count the days to go back to school.

Abby*, a teenager, said that she hates being at home with her single mother who is an addict. She has become increasingly anxious as the summer term went on. School is a salvation for her, a place to escape for a few hours from the chaos of her home life and the constant male callers. It’s also a place where she gets regular meals and she knows that her teachers are looking out for her.

Jack*, whose parents have separated, dreads going on holidays with his mother’s new partner. He lives in fear that he will lose his temper and hit out at Jack and his younger sister.

For Jennifer*, the thought of months without her friends is devastating. She lives in the heart of rural Ireland and loves school and hates the isolation of her home. She is worried that her friends will move on without her and she’ll lose them.

Elizabeth Donlon Fox, National Childline Listening Coordinator, hears similar stories on a daily basis: “The lives of children and young people can be destroyed during what are meant to be happy, carefree summer days. Instead of enjoying the summer holidays, some children are living with isolation, fear, and neglect. It is horrifying to hear what so many children and young people have to endure. I was heartbroken when talking to Finn* who confided in me about the toll his emotionally abusive family takes on him. He says that he hates being at home. Unfortunately for many like Finn* summer is a time of heartbreak and not happiness.”

In order to continue to be there for every child who needs us, Childline needs your help. Donations to Childline can be the shield that protects them, the voice that listens, and the hand that holds theirs in the darkest times.

ISPCC offers support to children and young people at childline.ie and at 1 800 66 66 66. 

*Names have been changed

Donate Now!

My son’s girlfriend wants to have sex

Your Question

Hi robyn My son told me his girlfriend wants sex but he’s not ready says he feels ashamed and nervous cause he’s body conscious and is nervous about communicating

Answer

Hi there,

Thank you so much for getting in touch with Ask Robyn. First of all it is really positive that your son has been able to reach out and discuss what is going on for him with you. These conversations can be uncomfortable and awkward and as parents we can often be unsure of what to say. 

We are unsure what age your son is but it is important that he is aware that legal age for sex in Ireland is 17, so having sex under the age of 17 is illegal. The legal age is 17 as it is important for young adults to be fully informed about all the risks of sex and the consequences of having sex as they mature.  As someone likely under 17, young people are in a vulnerable group because of their stage of development. This affects their ability to make safe decisions and is a crucial time for developing social and emotional habits that are important for mental well being. There’s more information on these laws here: citizensinformation.ie and on https://b4udecide.ie/the-facts/age-of-consent/.  

It is important to have a further conversation with your son about how he feels about it and what might help him with approaching this conversation with his girlfriend. It is important that he feels safe and secure to express himself with her also. 

Thank you again for getting in touch. If you wish to talk about this further you the ISPCC’s Support Line service can be contacted by email to [email protected] or between 9am – 1pm Monday – Friday by calling 01 522 4300. You and your family deserve to feel heard and supported.  

Take care for now,   

Robyn   

Ask us a question

You can ask us about anything you want, there’s nothing too big or small.

Ask me a question

ISPCC response to the ‘incomprehensible’ St John Ambulance Child safeguarding shortcomings

The victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and grooming at St John Ambulance are to be commended for speaking out in such difficult circumstances in the pursuit of truth and justice. 

Today sees the long-awaited publication of the inquiry into such allegations at St John Ambulance. 

Dr Geoffrey Shannon, recently nominated Judge of the Circuit Court, is to be applauded for his forthrightness in laying bare the serious and hugely concerning child safeguarding issues at St John Ambulance, many remaining unrectified to this day. 

It is shocking that it is only in light of the report’s publication that St John Ambulance has said it will develop “robust internal accountability frameworks” and committed to employing a full-time safeguarding officer. 

The safety of children should always be at the heart of such organisations.

It is incredibly important that when children speak out about such heinous crimes, as they did at the time, that they are believed and that the appropriate policies and procedures are followed. Children need to see something is being done by the adults who are in place to safeguard them. This did not happen at St John Ambulance. 

John Church, ISPCC CEO said: “St John Ambulance cadets are children aged 11-18 years of age. It is incomprehensible to learn that any organisation working with and/or involving children did not have a finalised child safeguarding policy in place, a requirement by law. 

“Child sexual abuse is deemed an adverse childhood experience meaning children who are subjected to such experiences are potentially at heightened risk of other physical and mental health issues in adulthood. All victims and survivors ought to receive the necessary supports they deserve.”  

Whilst St John Ambulance has reportedly stated it undertook a due diligence process in response to the delay in the publication of this report, it is now time it undertakes the same due diligence process to address its child safeguarding obligations. This is not historic child sexual abuse, it is very much abuse that happened in the recent past, and it is difficult to see how such crimes can be prevented from happening again considering the governance issues Dr Shannon has pointed out. No organisation should ever put its reputation before the safety and protection of a child in its care. 

The ISPCC notes that St John Ambulance has followed Dr Shannon’s recommendation and offered an apology to its victims and survivors, accepting the shortcomings of the structures enabled the grooming and abuse of children. 

It is not enough to proffer an apology, action must be taken to safeguard children at all times. 

 

What is Domestic Violence?

domestic abuse
domestic abuse

Domestic Violence is violent or aggressive behaviour within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner. 

 

 Although Domestic Violence is often physical abuse, it does not always have to be. It can also include emotional abuse including coercive control (Domestic Violence Act 2018). 

 

Coercive control is one partner taking control over the others money, your whereabouts or what type of clothing you wear.  

 

Regardless of what level of violence is in the home, it is never acceptable. There are supports available through the following helplines: 

 

Women’s Aid: 1800 341 900 

 

Or by texting ‘’HELLO’’ to 50808. 

How can I support my child if there is domestic violence in our home?

It is important to shelter your child from harm at all times. If your child is aware of the abuse in the family home, talk to them. 

 

Advise them that it is not okay and that they need to keep themselves safe as possible from harm during incidents of Domestic Violence in the family home. It may be helpful to make a safety plan with your child to ensure they can keep safe from harm of the perpetrator.  

 

Provide your child with Childline’s freephone number 1800 66 66 66, so that they can speak to a trusted adult if they feel it is something they would like to do. Childline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Safety Plans

A safety plan is a plan for a child or young person to keep themselves safe in the event of an incident of Domestic Violence. 

 

In this plan, ideas of the child keeping themselves safe would be to go to another room, not to get involved in the argument or holding their teddy bear really tight, to help them feel safe. 

 

It might be important if the child had a safe adult they could contact, if it were safe to do so, and speak to them. It is pivotal that children are kept safe from harm, all whilst knowing that this type of violence is never okay.  

 

If you need further support in relation to this, please do not hesitate to contact our Support Line service, that is available Monday to Friday 9am-1pm.