By Evelyn Ring
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
SUPPORT agencies are urging survivors of sexual abuse to reach out for help when the Dublin Archdiocese Report is published.
After the Ryan Report was published last May thousands of people contacted counselling and advocacy services for help.
According to a joint statement issued by Connect, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Faoiseamh and One in Four, there were a number of suicides associated with the period after the Ryan Report was published.
The agencies have asked relatives and friends of people affected by the soon to be published Dublin Archdiocese Report to be supportive.
It also wants doctors, nurses and other professionals working in hospitals and the community to be aware of the challenges facing survivors at this difficult time.
Meanwhile, six survivor representative groups have expressed shock and disappointment that they were not consulted about the appointment by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe of a committee to oversee the establishment of a memorial to victims of institutional abuse.
Irish Survivors of Child Abuse, The Alliance Victim Support Group, Right to Peace, Justice and Healing for victims of Abuse, Right of Place and Survivors of Abuse International said they expected Taoiseach Brian Cowen to keep his promise that survivor groups would be kept fully informed and not allow his ministers and civil servants to make decisions for them.
The Irish Examiner
