More than a quarter of Irish children are sexually abused and 95 per cent of these crimes go unreported, according to a group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the area of child sexual abuse.
Additionally, fewer than three in every 1,000 sexual offences against children result in a prosecution, according to the group.
This highlights a massive failure within Ireland's judicial system, the group concluded after the first in a series of planned meetings in Dublin yesterday.
The meeting also considered the implications and legislation arising out of the "Mr A" case.
"The 'A' case highlighted a flaw in legislation that caused justifiable public outrage. We are unanimous in our view that the failures are consistent and fundamental," according to a joint-statement from Children at Risk in Ireland (Cari), the Sexual Violence Centre Cork, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and One in Four.
"Our daily experience of our work tells us that the system is not working to either protect children or respond to their needs. Twenty-seven per cent of Irish children are sexually abused and 95 per cent of these crimes go unreported," the statement said.
The NGOs welcomed the proposal to appoint a joint Oireachtas committee on child protection. However, they raised a number of concerns about the Government-issued terms of reference and are seeking an "urgent" meeting with Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.