Some 300 children contact Childline each year reporting sexual abuse, according to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC).
Ireland’s sole 24/7 listening support service for children and young people further reported that 50 contacts are made weekly concerning sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
Overall, children have reported neglect, abuse, sex trafficking, and choking and strangulation to Childline volunteers and staff who spend the equivalent of 50 full days each year talking to children in “immediate crisis”, according to the charity.
A further 100 children contacted the helpline in the past six months reporting suicidal ideation, it said.
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The charity released details of cases derived from calls with children, the names of whom have been changed, including that of eight-year-old Conor who “lives in terror of his mother’s new partner who takes his anger out on him”.
It comes as the charity, which depends on donations for up to 90 per cent of its funding each year, has launched a Christmas appeal with actress Saoirse Ronan.
Almost 1,100 children made contact between December 23rd and Christmas Day last year, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year.
“For too many children and young people, Christmas doesn’t mean presents or a happy day full of warmth and safety. Instead, it means abuse, neglect and loneliness.
“It breaks my heart to know that it can be nothing but a living nightmare for many of our young people across this country,” Ms Ronan said.
“Take a moment to think of all the young people in your community who could be going through this behind closed doors, alone, afraid, feeling unloved.”
John Church, ISPCC chief executive, called on the public to think of the children “for whom Christmas is not a time of joy but instead just another nightmarish day in a life filled with trauma”.
Childline can be reached at freephone 1800 66 66 66.
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