Sir, – John Waters makes a very valid point when he asks “Do young men take their lives due to alcohol abuse or for reasons related to the reasons that cause them to drink abusively?” (Opinion, July 20th). Several studies have shown a strong link between childhood sexual abuse and substance abuse.
Currently in Ireland there is no register of those who took their own life as a result of childhood sexual abuse. There are no resources apparently to carry out such research.
Until research organisations commence some studies we will not know the true link between this type of abuse and subsequent suicide. – Yours, etc,