PRESS RELEASE

Thursday 25th February, 2016.

CARI today responded to Dame Smith's report into decades of sexual abuse and rape at the BBC.

Dame Janet Smith stopped short of finding senior management turning their backs on victims, however her report found them responsible for a culture of sexual discrimination and harassment in which sexual predators like Savile and Stewart Hall could flourish. A deeply hierarchal structure also contributed to this.  It is a serious indictment of the BBC and while many of the offenses relate to the 70’s and 80’s, the most recent case occurred in 2004. The range of offenses is truly harrowing. Amongst the 72 victims, there were 8 victims of rape with a child as young as 13 yrs. old and the youngest child we know about, who was subject to abuse, being only 8 yrs. old.

CEO Mary Flaherty says “CARI has pointed out before that the easiest place for an abuser to hide is in plain sight and in trusted and respected positions. It’s a challenge to all organisations now to ensure that they have the highest level of child protection policies and practices in their organisation whether big or small, private or public, state or voluntary. One of Dame Smith’s most concerning findings, was that there were 5 different opportunities missed to stop their criminal behaviour and protect children in their care. Our thoughts are with those victims who will need time to respond to this report and who will have views as to its adequacy.

Ends

Contact;  Mary Flaherty CEO

CARI
Founded in 1989, CARI is one of Ireland’s leading voluntary providers of therapy to children, families and groups affected by child sexual abuse.