ISPCC honoured to announce million-euro funding for project to combat child grooming

The GroSafe team, Fiona Jennings, ISPCC Head of Policy and Public Affairs,  is pictured on the left

ISPCC is honoured to announce that GroSafe, the technology-enabled safeguarding platform designed to combat child grooming through education, support and reporting, has received the Prize Award from Research Ireland’s National Challenge Fund in the OurTech pillar.

This acknowledgement of potential of GroSafe to have an incredible impact on the lives of so many children and young is extremely welcome and will enable the GroSafe team to make a true societal impact.

By empowering children and caregivers through this platform, the GroSafe team aims to build societal resistance, reduce exploitation and foster a culture of safe and trusted disclosure. The project is led by TU Dublin’s Dr Christina Thorpe and Dr Matt Bowden and ISPCC’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Fiona Jennings, acts as Societal Impact Champion.

The GroSafe project is one of six research teams across four challenge programmes under the National Challenge Fund, to receive part of €8 million in prize phase funding. Funded by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Fund calls on researchers to identify problems related to Ireland’s Digital Transformation and work directly with those most affected to solve them.

Fiona Jennings, ISPCC Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said the project is specially focused on “how children and young people are groomed into criminality or for sexual exploitation purposes.“We are extremely grateful that the possibilities offered by GroSafe have been acknowledged by the Prize Award from Research Ireland’s National Challenge Fund.

“The GroSafe team has gone to great lengths to ensure that the voices of stakeholders were heard and that their needs and requirements were understood. In particular, I believe that the engagement with children is the perfect example of true participation in action.

“The ISPCC wants to particularly acknowledge the steadfast vision, dedication and determination of the leadership provided by Dr Christina Thorpe and Dr Matt Bowden. They have ensured that the GroSafe potential for real societal change will be realised.

“As Societal Impact Champion, I am increasingly convinced that the only way to meaningfully tackle child grooming is by working together cohesively and respectively. I also want to acknowledge the incredible input of Research Ireland. I have been hugely impressed by the design of the National Challenge Fund competition and the continuing support and mentoring offered by members of Research Ireland throughout the process.”

ISPCC reports shocking statistics on sexual abuse, rape, trafficking and violence as it launches national Christmas appeal

“For too many children and young people, Christmas doesn’t mean presents or a happy day full of warmth and safety. Instead, it means abuse, neglect and loneliness. It breaks my heart to know that it can be nothing but a living nightmare for many of our young people across this country. Take a moment to think of all the young people in your community who could be going through this behind closed doors, alone, afraid, feeling unloved.”

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ISPCC attends the Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence

It was an honour to be invited to attend the Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence and discuss the impact of AI on children and young people. ISPCC’s purpose is to protect childhood, and we believe that it is crucial to ensure that AI technologies are designed safely and ethically, with a child-rights approach.

The meeting of Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence was a wonderful opportunity to share the insights of our colleagues in ISPCC who have direct daily engagement with children.

While there are legitimate – and grave – concerns about the future development of AI, it can also be used as force for good. 

ISPCC CEO John Church emphasised that the voice of the child is essential when formulating policy in this area, while Head of Policy and Public Affairs Fiona Jennings stressed ISPCC’s involvement in research projects underpinned by AI technologies – GroSafe and NLight – as well as the Children’s Online Redress Sandbox project which will establish a first-of-its-kind mechanism to advance child online safety through collaboration across sectors, borders and generations utilising a regulatory sandbox methodology.

GroSafe is funded by Research Ireland and aims to develop a technology-enabled solution to build societal resilience against child grooming.

NLight, funded by Safe Online, is a deployable text analysis tool that allows for better data and sentiment analysis of our Childline webchat service.

 She also discussed the Children’s Online Redress Sandbox project which will establish a first-of-its-kind mechanism to advance child online safety through collaboration across sectors, borders and generations.

At ISPCC, we believe that children and young people need to be educated on how to use AI technologies responsibly and productively. Legislators must champion a robust regulatory system that supports safe and ethical design of AI technologies. A cross-government coordinated approach with a national policy focus is needed, situated in the Department of An Taoiseach. The proposed AI office and AI observatory could offer this opportunity.

Every child has the right to lead a better, happier, safer childhood. It is our hope that working with our partners in the Irish Safer Internet Centre and on novel solution-focused projects, we can ensure that the rights of children and young people are protected as AI technologies evolve.

The other organisations represented at the meeting included the Ombudsman Youth Advisory Panel, National Youth Council, Children’s Rights Alliance, National Parents Council, BeLong To, CyberSafeKids, Irish Traveller Movement, spunout and Webwise.

Could you help Childline listen to children in Drogheda?

volunteers outreach

Shauna McDaniel’s reason for volunteering with Childline is simple: She would have loved to have called Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service when she was young.

“I could have really benefited from having an adult to talk to, to help me feel less alone, to feel that I was worthy of being part of a conversation, to reassure me that my life is valid and how I feel is valid.”

Shauna grew up in single-parent household in rural Ireland. Her mother was very loving but exhausted trying to care for three children on her own.

Shauna has been volunteering with Childline since February 2024 and the 39-year-old says that she loves hearing the stories of the children who call. “It’s not always tragic conversations. I get so much joy from a child saying that they feel better at the end of our conversation.”

The Childline listening service is now recruiting volunteers for its office in Drogheda, which is dedicated to helping Ireland’s children.

For Sarah Edwards, who has been in the Drogheda office for the last three years, volunteering with Childline has changed her life in ways she could never have envisioned. Her aim when she started volunteering “was to empower at least one child on my shift, but the reason why I stay is because of the other volunteers. “I’ve made friends for life, we really support each other.”

She says that knowing you have helped a child makes your week.  “Depending on the child’s age, I put my seven-year-old or my 16-year-old hat on. I imagine myself being that age and in that situation.

After working for 24 years in the drinks industry, Sarah is planning to do a psychology degree, a development she credits to her time volunteering with Childline.

The service provided by ISPCC is always available to any child and young person across Ireland who would like to talk about any topic on their mind.  

Childline’s 24/7 listening service is free and confidential and can be reached online or by phone.  

Volunteers with the service come from all walks of life and are united by one common purpose: to help ensure no child or young person in Ireland has to face their challenges alone.  

An excellent team spirit and sense of support prevails at Childline units throughout the country. Volunteers receive full training in advance of answering their first contact and ongoing support and upskilling thereafter. The training will take place in September.

“You’re never on your own,” says Sarah. “Everyone on your shift is in the room with you.”

Childline regional supervisor Mary Nolan Durkan says: “Childline volunteers play a vital role in helping to ensure there is always someone there to listen, support and empower children and young people in Ireland when they seek a listening ear. The Childline training course is a comprehensive course which equips volunteers with the skills to deliver a quality service to children.”

“I’ll never leave Childline,” says Sarah, “no matter what I do going forward, I’ll always be a volunteer. I absolutely love it.

  • If you would like more information on becoming a Childline volunteer at our unit in Drogheda and helping the service to listen to children and young people, please go to https://www.ispcc.ie/volunteer-with-childline/
  • If you don’t have the time, but still want to make a difference, you can donate at ispcc.ie

Make a splash for Childline this September

September Sea Swim 2024

Finding Nemo’s Dory was very clear: “Just keep swimming”. It’s advice that heptathlete Lara O’Byrne would certainly agree with.

Lara, a passionate sea swimmer, was one of the first people to sign up to this year’s September Sea Swims. Now she’s hoping that people throughout the country will join her and make a splash for Childline.

Childline’s September Sea Swims are open to everyone. You don’t actually have to live by the coast to participate in this beneficial endeavour for body and soul: any open water location will do for your swims, dips or paddles.

Childline will also be hosting pop-up swim events throughout September if you’d like to take the plunge with others.

September Sea Swims offer a fantastic opportunity to nurture your mental and physical health while supporting the wellbeing of children and young people. All funds raised will do directly to Childline, Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service, to ensure that there is always someone to listen when a child or young person needs to talk.

For Lara who founded the Original Lobster wetsuit company, signing up for September Sea Swims has physical, mental and emotions benefits. “Sea swimming is a way to connect not only with nature, but with yourself,” she says.

“When you’re in the water, all of the outside problems don’t seem so bad. It’s my favourite way to decompress and be in the moment. It also brings people together and creates a sense of community. That’s why I’ve decided to take part in this challenge while also raising money for a fantastic charity.”

Psychologist and author Allison Keating has also signed up for September Sea Swims. She firmly believes that the refreshing reset offered sea swimming has multiple benefits for body and soul.

“Sea swimming is an incredibly immersive and totally free experience that reconnects you with your body, while calming and reinvigorating your mind. It gets you out of your head and back into your body, with stress-relieving benefits that last long after your dip.”

It’s very straightforward to join Lara and Allison in September Sea Swims for Childline.

Simply sign up to do 10 swims whenever you want throughout the month. You can do it as a solo challenge or with a group of friends.

Each participant should register individually at https://septemberseaswim.com/ to receive their fundraising pack and be eligible for a prize draw to win an Original Lobster wetsuit. They will also receive a fundraising pack.

So go on, dive in and soak up the benefits of swimming for Childline.

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

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