Audits reveal extent of Religious abuse

THE EXTENT of abuse suffered by children in the care of Religious orders in Ireland is revealed in a tranche of safeguarding audits released this week, writes Sarah Mac Donald.

The audits, carried out by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC), involved eight male orders and 35 female orders and covered 325 allegations of abuse.

The NBSCCC said “undeniably” that a significant number of children suffered abuse but also found that there has been “considerable improvement in safeguarding practice”. The audits were released as part of an ongoing process intended to ensure compliance with Church safeguarding standards. This report covers allegations of sexual abuse made since 1941 against 141 priests or brothers that resulted in eight criminal convictions.