Child protection services were involved with a Traveller family “over a long period” from the mid-1980s, while the father was raping, beating and starving a younger sister and seven of his daughters, Tusla has confirmed. His victims, now all adults, are seeking a public inquiry into why statutory agencies did not intervene to save them from the abuse, and whether their being Traveller children contributed to the alleged failings. In a statement to The Irish Times, Tusla said the agency was “currently retrieving records of the involvement of child protection services with the family” going back decades. “Work on this is ongoing, and includes working with organisations who work with minority groups, funding community worker positions within minority groups, providing education supports, and working with foster carers from minority groups to provide appropriate placements for children in care. Child protection is a complex area of work and, despite many modernisations, it remains a challenge in many jurisdictions.

Source: The Irish Times June 25, 2020 20:48 UTC