ANY PERSON who fails to report cases of child sexual abuse to gardaí will face prosecution under legislation due to be published today.
In addition, official guidelines on how to handle child-protection concerns will become mandatory for organisations or individuals who work with young people.
These measures are contained in two separate pieces of legislation which are likely to have far-reaching implications for how the State and society respond to children at risk.
Details of both Bills are due to be published today by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald.
Under Mr Shatter’s legislation, the Bill will make it a criminal offence for a person to fail to disclose information which would assist in prosecuting a person who commits a serious offence against a child or vulnerable adult.
These measures are contained in the Criminal Justice (Withholding Information on Crimes Against Children and Vulnerable Adults) Bill. The prospect of prosecution for failing to report suspected abuse is extended to all members of the public and not just those working with children.
In addition, Ms Fitzgerald is due to publish legislation which will place the Children First guidelines on child protection and welfare on a statutory footing for the first time.
This will affect thousands of people involved in sporting and voluntary organisations that involve children.
The legislation will include statutory requirements for organisations and individuals who work with young people to make reports, share information and co-operate with the HSE and the Garda where they have concerns about a child.
Ms Fitzgerald has indicated that any organisations which fail to follow the guidelines face the risk of losing State funding.
While most children’s rights groups have welcomed measures to strengthen child protection, many are fearful that the obligation to report abuse concerns will lead to social work teams being flooded with potential abuse cases.
In response, officials have said there will be a “filtering system” to ensure social workers are not overwhelmed with cases. Ms Fitzgerald has said it will be important to educate people and spread awareness about signs of abuse.
