THERE has been a 62 per cent increase in the number of cases of child sexual abuse reported to the South Eastern Health Board in 1995, compared with the previous year, the board says in a report. There was a 61 per cent rise in the number of cases of child abuse overall reported to medical staff.
The report, presented to members of the SEHB at its meeting yesterday, stated that in common with other health boards it had witnessed a large increase in the number of notified cases of abuse.
This was attributed to greater professional and public awareness of child abuse and to more systematic reporting of suspected cases.
Last year, 742 cases of abuse were investigated in the southeast region, compared with 624 in 1994 and 455 in 1993. The figures for last year included 141 alleged cases of physical abuse, 40 cases of emotional abuse and 222 cases of neglect.
However, the largest category was sexual abuse, which accounted for 339 cases or 46 per cent of the total. There were 187 cases in 1993.
At the end of 1995 a further 131 cases were still under investigation, with 156 cases of reported sexual abuse being confirmed by medical staff.
A board member and chairman of Waterford County Council, Mr Gary O'Halloran, said the figures were disturbing. More and more people were coming forward, which reflected the confidence in the lead taken by adult survivors.
He said the reported figures were only the "tip of the iceberg" and pointed out that there had been a 275 per cent increase in the number of reported cases of abuse since 1982 in the southeast.
The report also highlighted under-age sexual activity. The introduction of mandatory reporting of abuse when dealing with teenage pregnancies could worsen an already very stressful situation, the report stated.
A crime had clearly been committed when a girl under 17 became pregnant. However, the report adds, if such pregnancies were subject to mandatory reporting, young women might be deterred from seeking medical attention or the pressure on them to seek an abortion might be increased.