Children will now have more of a fighting chance

EPIC warmly welcomes the new Children First Guidance published today.  Protecting children, now more than ever, needs to be the collective responsibility of all.  The guidance clearly articulates that everyone in society has a responsibility to act on concerns about child protection.   The new Children First clarifies the actions that need to be taken by those that suspect abuse.  Director of EPIC, Jennifer Gargan said “it is clear that this new guidance has taken on board lessons learnt from the tragic outcomes of cases of long term abuse and neglect such as the Roscommon case.” 

Whilst welcoming the new Children First guidance, Jennifer Gargan stated that “what is now needed is for Children first to be put on a statutory basis as soon as possible and for its speedy implementation.”  She particularly calls on the HSE to ensure that all children in care are given opportunities to have their voices heard and are supported to do so.  We need to learn from the past the terrible consequences for children of not listening to them. Children have to be made aware of how to report abuse and must be provided with opportunities to do so.

EPIC again calls on the HSE to provide a dedicated national hotline number that would facilitate and simplify the reporting of abuse by adults and children alike.