Christmas is the “most dangerous” time of year for some children in Ireland, the ISPCC has warned, as new data from its Childline service shows 14 children a week contact it about sexual abuse.
Launching its Christmas appeal, the ISPCC said its Childline team spends the equivalent of 146 full days a year talking to children and young people in immediate crisis, while 300 children a year make contact about sexual abuse, involving rape, incest and being forced to watch or perform sexual acts.
Furthermore, it said 35 children and young people are in the process of trying to take their own life while in contact with the Childline team.
Aoife Griffin, Services Manager at ISPCC, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.