A helpline for individuals who are concerned about child abuse recorded a 12 per cent increase in the number of calls it received last year relating to sexualised behaviour among children.
The Children at Risk in Ireland (Cari) foundation, in its annual report to be published today, also says it has provided therapy to a number of children, some as young as nine or 10, who have demonstrated a "wish to die".
Cari's national clinical director Majella Ryan said that, unless the signs of suicide "ideation" and self-harm are identified quickly, the child in question can attempt or even successfully commit suicide before receiving help.
She said where children are exhibiting signs of "acting out" sexually on other children, this can mean these other children are at risk, or that sexual abuse has occurred.
While some sexualised behaviour can be a normal part of development, typical examples of worrying behaviour include children exposing themselves and excessive masturbation. Such behaviour can also be an indication that the perpetrator is a possible victim of abuse, she said.
Although this behaviour can be managed if it is addressed early, the child in question can become increasingly marginalised if this does not happen, due to a lack of understanding of how to deal with the underlying causes.
As a result, Cari is calling on the Government to provide the necessary resources to ensure a "prompt inter-agency" response to the needs of vulnerable children and families.
It points out that, despite the existence of the Children First national child protection guidelines, many parents continue to have fears about reporting that a child is being sexually abused to the HSE or the Garda.
Overall, Cari's annual report for 2006 reveals that its helpline dealt with a total of 1,254 calls - an increase of 10 per cent compared to the year before - and provided over 1,500 therapeutic appointments.
There is also anecdotal evidence to suggest that significantly more foreign nationals are availing of Cari's services to report abuse, most of which has taken place in their country of origin, said Ms Ryan.
This can include children who have witnessed their mother being abused, or who have themselves been abused.
"I think when they arrive in Ireland, the key focus for non-nationals is survival," she said. "But as they become more established, they will access services. I think we will probably see an increase next year again."
The report reveals that sexual abuse within the family remains the primary concern of callers to the Cari helpline, representing 45 per cent of all calls. Among the top 10 secondary concerns of callers are sexualised behaviour (18 per cent, compared to 6 per cent in 2005), rape or sexual assault (10 per cent), and concerns about alleged offenders' access to children (6 per cent).
The report has also led Cari to call on the new Government to renew its commitment to a constitutional referendum on the rights of the child.