A United Nations special rapporteur has said there is an urgent need for a comprehensive examination of forced and illegal adoptions here and warned the State’s investigation into mother and baby homes “is not broad enough to uncover the full scale of illegal adoptions”. Ms de Boer-Buquicchio, the special rapporteur on the sale and exploitation of children, has also claimed there is “a culture of silence” in Ireland around issues of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation. The special rapporteur visited Ireland for a week last May, when she met government representatives, Tusla, gardaí and others. “Meanwhile those affected are advancing in age, so the need for a comprehensive national examination of forced and illegal adoptions is urgent. The report said there was “a lack of a dedicated and integrated strategy to respond to sexual violence against children”.

Source: Irish Examiner March 07, 2019 03:56 UTC