1. When was the CARI Foundation established?
2. Why was CARI established?
3. Who founded CARI?
4. What is the CARI philosophy?
5. What is current level of service provision for children affected by CSA?
6. What service does CARI provide?
7. What does CARI charge for its service?
8. Where are the CARI centres?
9. How many children does CARI look after every year?
10. Is CARI residential?
11. Is CARI a charity?
12. How many people does CARI employ?
13. Where does CARI get funding from?
14. Does my entire donation go to supporting the children?
15. How you can help?

1. When was CARI established?

The CARI Foundation was established in 1989.

2. Why was CARI established?

CARI was established to address the needs of children, families and groups affected by child sexual abuse, regardless of means and provide a child centred specialised therapy and assist the recovery process.

3. Who founded CARI?

CARI was founded by a group of medical, business and lay people concerned about the absence of services for children who were beginning to disclose their experiences of child sexual abuse. The very first services for women had just been set up and Ireland was only beginning to acknowledge the level of sexual crime in the country. The original founders hoped that CARI would provide a comprehensive service for children and families facing the consequences of experiencing sexual abuse.

4. What is the CARI philosophy?

CARI believes that children have a right to a service that respects their freedom of expression and right to child centred services. CARI respects the strength and resilience of children and design our services to build on this strength, enabling children to grow into adulthood defined not by their abusive experiences but by their individuality and creativity.

5. What is current level of service provision for children affected by CSA?

Services for children affected by sexual abuse across the country are patchy and inadequate and sadly much less developed that those for adults who were abused in their childhood.

6. What services does CARI provide?

CARI provides four key services namely;

• Child Centred Specialised Therapy and Support
• Parental Support
• Helpline Lo Call 1890 924 567
• CASS (Court Accompaniment Support Service)
• Training and Education

7. Does CARI charge for its services?

Yes the CARI Foundation makes a weekly charge for its clinical service. This includes all appointments, assessments and therapy sessions. This fee is regardless of numbers of sessions given to the client or client’s family in the week. We encourage clients to pay full or part fees both as a way of valuing the therapy and to acknowledge the CARI Foundation’s status as an organization dependent on a variety of income sources. The amount the client or family is able to afford will be decided with them at assessment stage. The fee range is as follows;

Fee Range:
The current fee range is €10-€60

We acknowledge there may be those for whom even a minimal contribution may not be Possible and in those cases therapy will still be provided. Fees will be charged for missed sessions unless 24 hours notice is given.

8. Where are the CARI centres?

CARI has two full time centres in Dublin and Limerick that provide a service to the wider region. The Dublin centre clients come from the greater Dublin and Leinster area and the Limerick centre clients come from Limerick, Clare and Tipperary. In the past, CARI provided outreach therapy services in Kerry, Meath, Wicklow and Galway. Regretfully, due to funding pressures, CARI recently closed its two day service in Cork.

9. How many children does CARI look after every year?

CARI has provided an average of 2,350 hours of therapy a year in the past five years. There are approximately 100 families per year (120 adults and 70 children) that have been helped since 2006.

10. Is CARI residential?

No the child centred therapy and support services provided by CARI are not residential.

11. Is CARI a charity?

Yes CARI is a registered charity managed by a Board of Directors and a company limited by guarantee and has therefore produced audited accounts since its foundation in 1989. Charity number CHY 9491

12. How many people does CARI employ?

CARI employed 19 staff in 2011.  CARI also supports two CE schemes employing another 24 trainees.

13. Where does CARI get funding from?

CARI is dependent on State funding from the HSE and other statutory agencies and on voluntary contributions raised through community and corporate fundraising. CARI raised €940k in 2011 which included statutory grants and fundraised income.

14. Does my entire donation go to supporting the children?

A donation can get broken down and go towards the following:

• Providing therapy for a child who has experienced sexual abuse and also support for their parent.
• Providing art materials for a child to express themselves through art therapy.
• Providing immediate and urgent assistance to a parent/carer who is dealing with a situation of child abuse. This comes in the form of advice appointment/crisis counselling appointment with a qualified therapist. 
• To support a preventative education training programme for groups that cannot afford this service.
• Financial support for Court Accompaniment Service.
• Funding towards the CARI National Helpline.
• Upkeep of therapy rooms in CARI centres.

15. How you can help?

• CARI depends on continuing public support to ensure that our vital work with children and families can continue and grow.
• We also rely on volunteer assistance and active fundraising to allow us to provide a wide range of services for those who need them.
• Here are a few examples of the many ways you could help us raise much needed funds by becoming a fundraiser for CARI.
• By taking part in one of CARI’s events; annual treks, marathons or other challenges. You might also like to attend one of our balls or summer lunches.