Harmful sexualised behaviour in children is increasing and is a “very significant and disturbing problem”, according to a leading children’s therapeutic service.
The Cari Foundation said there were 62 callers to its helpline reporting sexually harmful behaviour on children by children.
Of these, 39 were carried out by children aged 12 and under, while 23 involved assailants aged 13-17.
Sexually harmful behaviour is at the less severe end of the sexual abuse spectrum, which includes sexual assault and rape.
The figures, provided to the Irish Examiner and not revealed publicly before, also show that 38 callers reported children being sexually assaulted by children and a further 35 raped by children.
The organisation said early intervention was key as the figures showed that the older the child, the “more severe” the presentation.
“Harmful sexualised behaviour in children is a very significant, increasing, and disturbing problem and we are seeing it present through all our services in Cari,” said Eve Farrelly, Cari Support Services manager. She described the most recent figures they had compiled as concerning.
