How child abusers rose to power in
»»New report reveals attacks were covered up or not reported »»Vile sickos rose to power and could not be kicked out
SEXUAL abuse of young people was covered up and not reported in Scouting Ireland, a damning report has found.
Known or suspected sex offenders gained positions of power – and could not be removed.
The scandal-hit organisation yesterday said sorry to the victims and survivors of the abuse, which lasted for decades.
So far there are 212 known and alleged perpetrators and 317 alleged victims over the last 70 years in the movement.
Scouting Ireland commissioned child protection expert Ian Elliott to examine the cases of past sex abuse.
He said those who had a sexual interest in young people rose to positions of power within the organisation.
Mr Elliott wrote: “Individuals, who were suspected or known to be sex offenders, became largely impregnable.
“A characteristic of the poor governance that existed in scouting was the existence of a culture driven by selfinterest, with little attention paid to the young people involved.
“Small cliques emerged and played too great a part in how the scouting bodies operated.
“Individuals who had a sexual interest in young people, rose to positions of power and influence on occasions and controlled any fledgling accountability processes, preventing
known offenders from being removed from scouting.
“Cronyism thrived and remained a significant problem in scouting up to and including the reviewer’s involvement with Scouting Ireland.”
Mr Elliott said poor governance structures contributed greatly to the failure to address abuse.
He added: “Individuals who behaved badly were not held to account through robust, and timely disciplinary processes.
The introduction of an accountability framework was resisted.
“There was a reluctance to hold people to account and to recognise the reason why the organisation existed at all which is to serve the needs of young people in a positive way.”
He made 12 recommendations including proper governance so small cliques never obtain power again and that proper records be kept.
Scouting
Ireland issued an apology to victims of abuse it has “failed”.
Adrian Tennant said: “As chair of the board of Scouting Ireland, as an adult volunteer and as a father, I wish to make an organisational apology to the victims and survivors of historical sexual abuse in scouting who were failed.
“On behalf of Scouting Ireland, I unreservedly apologise to you.
“We are sorry for the hurt caused to you and the legacy of that hurt which many of you still live with today. We know we cannot take away that hurt. But we do want you to know you have been heard.
“We want you to know you are believed. We want you to know that we will support you.”
Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell called on Scouting Ireland to implement the recommendations of the review.
He said: “The details highlight the significant failings in oversight procedures in the scouting movement in Ireland in the past.”
Individuals who were known to be offenders became largely impregnable
IAN ELLIOTT CHILD PROTECTION EXPERT