Zappone ‘f looded’ with emails alleging abuse in the scouts
KATHERINE Zappone has said she has been ‘flooded’ with emails from people who say they were abused as children in the wake of Scouting Ireland’s finding that over 70 alleged abusers and 108 victims were involved in the organisation.
The Children’s Minister told the Oireachtas committee on children that a review of historical files at Scouting Ireland had uncovered evidence of more than 100 alleged child abuse cases at the organisation between the 1960s and 1980s.
The organisation expects the number of victims to increase significantly.
Yesterday, Ms Zappone said the details that emerged during the committee meeting had prompted many people to come forward with their own accounts of abuse.
‘I’m getting flooded with emails from people who are adults now, who were abused when they were children,’ she told RTÉ.
Scouting Ireland said that it was ‘busy, but not overwhelmed’ by calls yesterday following the committee meeting. ‘All contacts are being responded to immediately,’ it added. Committee: Ms Zappone
It’s understood that fewer than 20 of these calls were from people alleging they were abused in the scouts as children, with many of the other calls coming from members expressing concern or further information.
Scouting Ireland has cautioned that it does not have the resources to fund a redress scheme but has ring-fenced funds to provide counselling support to alleged victims.
‘We are committed to listening to and supporting those who have been wronged in the past,’ it said.
An Garda Síochána has confirmed that its National Protective Services Bureau – the specialist division which investigates allegations of sex abuse – is investigating the allegations.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris yesterday encouraged any other victims of abuse at Concern: Michael D Higgins the hands of scout leaders to come forward and said he expected the numbers of victims to increase.
‘It’s not to say it’s the tip of the iceberg, but certainly our experience, and the experience in other jurisdictions, is that there will be multiple victims considering whether to come forward or not. I wish to encourage them to come forward and tell us what happened to them and... we can follow through and investigate,’ he said.
A spokesman for President Michael D Higgins, who is patron of Scouting Ireland, said yesterday he was ‘concerned’ about what is emerg- ing and has asked staff to monitor developments.
‘He has asked to be kept informed, as patron, of the reforms that have been announced and any proposed actions in relation to the past,’ the spokesman added.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan yesterday confirmed to the Dáil that some of the surviving 71 alleged abusers are now living abroad without naming any of the countries or territories involved.
He said he was ‘appalled’ by the allegations, adding that every effort would be made to ensure the issue is fully investigated and victims could come forward.
He said Scouting Ireland had informed the Government that some of the alleged abusers and victims became known to them separate to the examination of historical files. ‘Several victims have recently come forward,’ he said. Minister Zappone has been advised that none of the alleged abusers is still working with Scouting Ireland, he added.
Fianna Fáil deputy leader Dara Calleary questioned in the Dáil whether the Government had confidence that Scouting Ireland had the capability and resources to manage the situation.
The organisation has 40,000 child members and 13,000 adult volunteers. A new board, elected last month, has vowed to make the safeguarding of children and adults its ‘number one priority’.
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‘Encourage them to come forward’