Press Release

National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church Issues 2010 Report

272 New Allegations of Abuse Report

Wednesday 11th May 2011

The National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC) published its annual report today. It details the work done by the Board and its National Office during the year ending 31st March 2011. It notes that 272 new allegations of abuse (physical, emotional or sexual) were reported to the Board, and the authorities, between April 1st 2010 and the end of March 2011. This is an increase on last year’s number of 197. At this point, it is clear that the vast majority of these cases are historic in nature, but a precise breakdown is not currently available.

This breaks down to 166 allegations received by Religious Orders and 106 made to Dioceses. The National Office has been advised that all of the 272 allegations have been reported to the statutory authorities. 86 allegations were made against deceased Clerics or Religious; 12 who are still in ministry, and 174 who had been or were removed from ministry, retired or have left the clerical state through a process of laicisation.

As the remit of the NBSCCC includes providing support and training in implementing the safeguarding guidelines to which every constituent part of the Church has already given their endorsement, the report details the Board’s continued work in these areas. It also points out that the Board has provided training to 52 groups on various aspects of the safeguarding guidelines. It also details achievements in developing and improving training materials which will set a recognisable benchmark for training that will support the Standards set out by the Board.

Looking at its plans for the future the Board states that one of its priorities for 2011 will be to continue the Review programme, in as timely a fashion as possible, of Dioceses and Religious Congregations in response to the request of the December 2009 meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference. The emphasis will be to complete the Review process in the dioceses before commencing with religious congregations and missionary societies

ENDS