Therapy & Support for Children affected by Child Sexual Abuse
CARI (Children at Risk in Ireland) provides child-centred therapy for children & adolescents who have been affected by sexual abuse. CARI also provides therapy to children, up to 12 years of age, who present with sexually harmful behaviour.
SUPPORTING CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS
We provide child-centred therapy and counselling at our centres in Limerick, Dublin and Wexford.
SUPPORTING PARENTS & FAMILIES
We support families coping with the trauma of child sexual abuse, non-abusing parents and carers.
SUPPORTING PROFESSIONALS
We offer guidance and support to teachers, social workers and others working with children and teenagers.
Ways to Support Us 
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News & Events
New Head of Child Abuse Charity Announced
Children at Risk Ireland (CARI) has announced the appointment of their new Chief Executive/Clinical Officer, Emer O’Neill. Ms O’Neill is CARI’s former national Head of Therapy and will retain a clinical role in the national charity, which supports children, teenagers...
CARI Launch Southeast Outreach Service
Children at Risk Ireland (CARI) have officially launched our new southeast Outreach Service, to support children, teenagers and families affected by child sexual abuse. The service has two dedicated therapists and will serve counties Wexford, Waterford, Carlow,...
CARI Concern About Child Protection
Child Protection must remain a priority because the most unimaginable abuse is what we witness every day, says Head of Therapy at Children at Risk Ireland (CARI). Emer O’Neill was commenting on what she described as the horrifying details of the rape and abuse of a...
The Hope Tree Podcast
Series 1, Episode 3 – Available Now
Johann Callaghan, Co. Kildare
Thriving as a Coach
despite her early abuse
Frequently Asked Questions
When was CARI established?
The CARI Foundation was established in 1989.
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.
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.
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.
What is the current level of service provision for children affected by CSA?
Inadequate funding means that CARI’s services are limited. However, we aim to provide a service throughout Ireland and have already launched our first outreach centre in the south east. We believe children, teenagers and families affected by child sexual abuse should not have to travel more than an hour to access therapy services.
In order to reach this level of service, we need more State funding and help from the community to raise money to meet the funding shortfall.
