The One in Four group, which assists people who suffered sexual abuse as children, is to lodge complaints with both the RTÉ Authority and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission about the handling of the appearance of a convicted paedophile on last Friday night's Late Late Show.
In a statement the group expressed "outrage and dismay" following Late Late Show treatment of the issue
American Jake Goldenflame (69) was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment and served five after being convicted for child sex abuse involving his daughter, aged between three and five at the time. He admitted on the programme to abusing countless numbers of boys. In the US he has become something of a paedophile celebrity and has appeared on shows such as Oprah.
One in Four director Colm O'Gorman questioned the thinking of Late Late Show producers in having Goldenflame on the programme "without an authoritative voice", such as a psychologist or therapist, "who could challenge some of his bizarre statements".
He instanced Goldenflame's assertion that it was common practice for therapists working with victims of child sexual abuse to advise them to ensure they avoided contact with children as they might themselves sexually abuse children.
"At no point did Pat Kenny challenge that suggestion, nor did he seek to explore the basis for such an extraordinary and unfounded suggestion. I know that this will be a cause of great distress to victims of abuse and their families. I am appalled and frankly, sickened by such thoughtless and ignorant disregard for the hurt that this is likely to cause many people," Mr O'Gorman said.
He continued that "One in Four wishes to refute any such suggestion that victims of child sexual abuse are likely to abuse children".
