Abuse charity says record number of people sought help last year

A record number of people sought help last year from a charity that supports adult survivors of child sexual abuse.

One In Four said contacts to its specialist support service rose by 17% in 2024, with a significant increase in the numbers of men coming forward for help.

They say the rise followed the publication of the Scoping Inquiry Report into Historical Sexual Abuse in Schools.

“When the State talks honestly about child sexual abuse and demonstrates that survivors will be heard, people respond,” the organisation’s CEO, Deirdre Kenny, said.

She said the public conversation and the visibility of the inquiry helped “create an environment in which survivors – especially men – felt able to come forward and seek support”.

He added: “These numbers represent not just statistics but real people breaking years, sometimes decades, of silence.”

The organisation’s annual report will be launched by Minister for Justice Jim O’ Callaghan on Monday.

Last year, One In Four supported nearly 1,300 individuals over almost 7,700 sessions.