RITUAL abuse and gang rape have featured prominently in the experiences of young non-Irish callers to the CARI (Children at Risk in Ireland) helpline, according to the children’s organisation.
A CARI representative told Metro Eireann that while the proportion of non-Irish callers is less than 10 per cent, those who do make contact with the organisation have suffered particularly horrifying abuse, usually in their own countries.
“They are fleeing their countries of origin with quite horrendous stories. They are genuine calls,” said the CARI worker, adding that most are aged in their mid to late teens and originate from Africa or Asia.
CARI is a registered charity providing a professional, child-centred therapy and counselling service to children, families, and groups who have been affected by child sexual abuse.
Metro Eireann understands that there is concern that non-Irish children affected by sexual abuse are not accessing support services because of their own or their family’s fear of bringing attention onto themselves if their immigration status is undecided – and of the consequences, within their own culture, of being known as a victim of sexual abuse.
In its recently released annual report, CARI revealed that it had provided telephone support to over 1,254 callers (mostly Irish) in 2006, the majority being mothers of children who may have been sexually abused. The figure represents a 10 per cent increase on 2005.
The report also noted a “significant increase in calls/e-mails from foreign nationals reporting abuse, most of which has taken place in their country of origin and the abuse they describe to our helpline operators is often extremely harrowing, and ritualised in some aspects.”
CARI’s National Helpline: Lo-call 1890 924 567 / UK and Northern Ireland: 00353 1 830 8523 (Lines are open from Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:30pm)
E-mail: helpline@cari.ie
