“24% of the people we met for the first time in 2018 had tried to take their own lives. Our waiting lists were closed for four months and we have no idea what happened to the people we had to turn away.  This is a huge worry when working with such a vulnerable group of people.”

• In 2018 One in Four met 911 people in total. 42% of our clients were men.
• In our psychotherapy programme we met 111 people for the first time. 24% of these people had attempted suicide before we met them.
• 146 people attended individual and group psychotherapy.
• We worked with 52 men who had caused sexual harm through our Phoenix Programme.
• 80 family members attended our family support programmes.
• 556 people engaged with our Advocacy programme, seeking practical information and support.
• Our advocacy officers supported 35 people through criminal trials and provided 11 people with support in civil processes. Of the criminal trials that were completed, there were 4 “guilty” pleas, 2 “guilty” verdicts, 1 “not guilty verdict”, 3 cases of a hung jury and mistrials in 2 cases.  The other cases are on-going.
• We made 63 child protection notifications to Tusla.

At the launch of the 2018 Annual report today One in Four reports that many of the people contacting them had already tried to take their own lives.  Waiting lists were closed for 4 months, causing great concern about what might have happened to the people they could not meet.

CEO Maeve Lewis says: “In 2018 the Belfast Rape Trial and the visit of Pope Francis led to a surge in demand for our services.  It is very positive that people who have experienced child sexual abuse reach out for help, but it is really terrifying when we cannot offer a service.  Unfortunately our application for emergency funding in these exceptional circumstances was unsuccessful, and we will always wonder what happened to the people we had to turn away.  Access to expert help should be every survivor’s right.”

In 2018 One in Four worked with 52 sex offenders through the unique Phoenix Programme.  They ranged in age from 18 – 69.

• 16 had abused a family member
• 11 had abused a known child
• 21 have abused on-line

Maeve Lewis continues  ” The Phoenix Programme provides a therapeutic intervention to men who have sexually abused children and we see this as a core child protection measure.  Almost half the men have never been convicted of their crimes but are willing to admit to causing sexual harm.  Men travel from all over the country to attend.  Our rigorous programme helps keep children safe.  Again, this programme is totally underfunded and has a waiting list.  I find it appalling to think that children may be sexually abused because the offender cannot get access to a programme”

One in Four advocacy officers supported 35 survivors in the criminal courts in 2018. 

Maeve Lewis says: “The whole country was shocked by the Belfast rape trial in early 2018.  While it took place in another jurisdiction, many aspects of that trial are played out in our own courts every day of the week. Sadly, our clients still find the criminal justice process to be demeaning and re-traumatising.  We were very impressed with the Gillen Review of the Belfast trial and we look forward to the report of the Criminal Justice Review Group established by Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan, TD later in 2019.”

In 2018 One in Four provided psychotherapy to 146 men and women who had experienced child sexual abuse and 80 family members.  When our waiting lists were open, the average waiting time was 6 months.

Maeve Lewis ends “Child sexual abuse is a hidden scourge in Irish society and it has blighted the lives of one in four of our citizens. At One in Four we have a deep understanding of the harm caused by child sexual abuse and its impact across a person’s lifetime.  Recovery from its effects can be a long, painful journey requiring expert help but it can truly change the trajectory of a person’s life and also have a positive impact on their family and community.  Our clients were failed by their families and society when they were children.  They deserve our timely care and attention now.”

The 2018 Annual Report