On Monday, 20th October, I attended the launch of One in Four’s Annual Report and Strategic Plan 2025–2029, where the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, spoke.

I have to say, it was disheartening to hear yet another politician praise their own achievements — which, in truth, have been minimal — and make future promises that inspire little more than scepticism and anger.

Where Is the Outrage?

Why was the Minister not shouting from the rooftops about the horrendous statistics presented in the report — that over 300,000 children in Ireland, aged eighteen or younger, have experienced or are experiencing sexual abuse?

Instead, he spoke proudly about the “Always Here” campaign, encouraging victims to come forward with the message, “You’re not alone.” But these words ring hollow when the very services that provide specialised treatment and support are crippled by long waiting lists. Access simply isn’t there. It’s dishonest, disingenuous — and, sadly, nothing new.

How much money is being spent on these awareness campaigns when that funding could be used by the very organisations, they’re urging victims to call?

Chronic Underfunding and Empty Promises

Successive governments have failed to properly fund services for victims of abuse — many of whom were failed by state institutions and the legal system in the first place. It is not good enough, and it should make us all furious.

When asked how much of the national budget would actually go to vital organisations providing specialised support, the Minister claimed they were receiving “a lot of funding.” Yet it was painfully clear he had no interest in addressing the disgraceful reality: these organisations spend far too much time fundraising just to keep their doors open, instead of focusing on the life-changing work they do best.

The current budget allocations are not only inadequate but short-sighted. The long-term social and economic costs of failing to support victims of abuse are immeasurable.

Counselling Notes and the Betrayal of Trust

The Minister also discussed the ongoing issue of victims’ counselling notes being made available to the accused and their legal teams — suggesting it would happen only in “particular cases.”

I cannot express the anger this provokes. Anyone with a basic understanding of trauma or abuse should be outraged by the notion that deeply personal counselling notes could ever be disclosed.

When a victim reports abuse, it becomes the Gardaí’s responsibility to investigate — to inform the accused, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and present a case to the DPP. That is how the legal system functions.

But understanding the psychological impact of abuse must be integral to this process. Victims often survive by using coping mechanisms like dissociation or compartmentalisation — separating what happened from how it felt, just to survive. In therapy, they are asked to carefully undo those defences, to remember, to feel, and ultimately to heal.

It is a long, painful, and confusing process. Victims may question their memories. They often carry shame and self-blame — feelings instilled by their abusers. This is why the confidentiality of the counselling relationship is sacred. Without it, true healing is impossible.

Under no circumstances should the accused be given access to these notes. It is not their right. The Gardaí’s job is to investigate — not to invade the private space where survivors finally feel safe enough to speak. The very fact that this issue is even under debate reveals how deeply the system misunderstands the nature of this crime.

An Unforgivable Failure

One in Four, and other specialist organisations, play a vital role in supporting survivors. The Minister himself acknowledged that the impacts of sexual abuse are lifelong — and yet, the State continues to underfund, undervalue, and ignore the very people and services that carry the nation’s collective trauma on their shoulders.

It is beyond frustrating — it is shameful.

Paula Kavanagh