Sir, - The current public debate about child abuse is welcome. It is regrettable, however, that the debate has focused almost exclusively on reporting.
The Irish Association of Social Workers wishes to state its concern regarding recent indications by Mr Frank Fahey, Minister with responsibility for children, that he will introduce mandatory reporting. Extensive consultations by the previous government with over 200 organisations showed that the majority of organisations working the front line of child protection were overwhelmingly against mandatory reporting.
The public must be confused by what it sees as differing views between various organisations on this point. This difference of opinion is clearly not about whether or not child abuse should be reported. All organisations involved in the protection of children want professionals and the general public to report their concerns. The debate is about whether or not there is a need for a law to ensure that child abuse is reported and whether the introduction of such a law is the most effective way of protecting Irish children who are abused.
The Irish Association of Social Workers would see mandatory reporting as nothing more than a "quick-fix" cosmetic gesture. It has been shown in America to have created a major problem with the number of false allegations of abuse and consequent redirection of scarce resources and personnel into investigation and away from support and therapeutic intervention.
Clearly, further debate is needed on an Irish child protection system which is seriously under-resourced. Mr Fahey acknowledged this in a recent Morning Ireland interview, including the fact that abused children and vulnerable families in some areas had to go on a waiting list. The Irish Association of Social Workers believes that addressing these very serious gaps in service provision and developing support services for children and families is the most effective response the Government can make to the needs of vulnerable and abused children. - Yours, etc.,
From Bernie Price, PRO,
Irish Assocation of Social Workers, Pearse Street, Dublin 2.