RCNI Press Release 23 January 2009

Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) ask if a lack of strong legislation supporting social services in their child protection measures failed children?

Fiona Neary, RCNI Director said, ‘while we await the full report from the HSE to the Minister for Children and other matters that need to come fully to light with regard the Roscommon case, it may well be the truth that the Social Services, the Gardaí and the Courts acted as they were meant and designed to, yet the State still failed these children. If so, then without radical change abuse of this nature may well be something we continue to struggle to prevent.

‘In this case did our Constitution hamper the child protection efforts of the authorities? Have Social Services through long experience, adopted a defeatist culture when confronted with a challenge drawing on parental rights as enshrined in our Constitution? We urge the government to reflect on this case and to make good a three year old commitment to enshrine children’s rights in our Constitution through a referendum?’

Notes:
• The RCNI is the national Rape Crisis Sector body, which provides a voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change towards a society free from abuse.

For information contact:
Clíona Saidléar: 087 2196447
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