Rising Male Survivor Support Reflects Broader Shift Following Landmark Abuse Inquiry
Key Takeaways:
* Record Numbers Seeking Help: One in Four, a specialist support service for adult survivors of child sexual abuse, reported a significant surge in male survivors accessing their services in 2024, reaching an all-time high of 62% of those seeking support.
* Impact of the scoping inquiry: This increase directly correlates with the publication of the Scoping Inquiry Report into Ancient Sexual Abuse in Schools (September 2024), which detailed 2,395 allegations across 308 schools.
* Extensive Support Services: One in Four provides a range of vital services including advocacy, therapy, prevention programs, and family support, with a growing emphasis on innovative therapies like Neurofeedback Therapy (NFT).
* Systemic Change Focus: The organization’s new strategic plan (2025-2029) prioritizes reducing the prevalence of child sexual abuse and driving systemic change within institutions.
The landscape of support for survivors of child sexual abuse is undergoing a crucial shift, with more men than ever before coming forward to seek help. According to the latest annual report from One in Four, a leading Irish organization dedicated to supporting adult survivors, 62% of individuals accessing their services in 2024 were male – a notable increase from 48% in 2023. This surge is being attributed to a growing willingness to break the silence, spurred by increased public awareness and the recent findings of a landmark inquiry.
The Scoping Inquiry’s Catalytic Effect
the catalyst for this change appears to be the publication of the Scoping Inquiry Report into Historical Sexual abuse in Schools in September 2024. The report revealed a deeply disturbing picture,documenting 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse relating to 308 schools,primarily those run by religious orders. This comprehensive examination brought decades of hidden trauma into the light, prompting a national conversation and, crucially, creating a safer surroundings for survivors to come forward.
“The public conversation and the visibility of the Scoping Inquiry helped create an environment in which survivors – especially men – felt able to seek support,” explains Deirdre Kenny, CEO of One in Four. She emphasizes that these numbers represent “not just statistics, but real people breaking years, sometimes decades, of silence.”
Increased Demand for Support – A Broad Overview
The impact extends beyond gender. One in Four experienced a 17% increase in contacts in 2024, delivering 7,674 support sessions to 1,292 individuals. The demographic breakdown reveals:
* Female Survivors: 37% of service users.
* Non-Binary Survivors: 1% of service users.
This demonstrates the organization’s commitment to inclusive support for all survivors, regardless of gender identity.
Beyond Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Survivor Support
One in Four’s support isn’t limited to traditional therapy. They offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to empower survivors at every stage of their recovery:
* Advocacy: A crucial service that equips survivors to navigate complex legal, institutional, and formal systems with trauma-informed support.Demand for advocacy services rose by 21% in 2024, reaching 5,461 requests. The majority of these requests originated from Dublin (44%) and the rest of Ireland (45%), with a smaller percentage coming from international locations (6%) and unkown origins (5%).
* Therapy: Providing individual and group therapy sessions tailored to the unique needs of survivors.
* Prevention Programs: Working to educate communities and prevent future abuse.
* Family Psychoeducation Groups: Supporting families impacted by child sexual abuse.
Investing in professional Expertise
Recognizing the need for specialized knowledge, One in Four has been actively investing in training for frontline professionals, including lawyers and support workers.These sessions aim to ensure that those working directly with survivors are equipped with the skills and understanding necessary to provide compassionate and effective care.
Pioneering Neurofeedback Therapy (NFT)
In a move demonstrating a commitment to innovative treatment approaches, one in Four piloted a Neurofeedback Therapy (NFT) program in 2024. NFT is a “safe and non-invasive” technique that helps the brain self-regulate, promoting calmer and more relaxed brainwave patterns – a vital step in healing from trauma.
The pilot program involved 2
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