I recently came across this article. It is very long, and very upsetting to read.
**Be warned**
This is very disturbing, and contains many ‘triggers’ for some people, including child abuse and neglect.
However, I think it has to be read. This is not Victorian England. This is modern-day Ireland in the 21st century, as recently as 2018.
If you think it is incredible. I agree.
If you think it is appalling. I agree.
I worked as an EMT in london for 22 years, and I never ceased to be amazed at what happens ‘behind closed doors’.
This is proof that it is still going on, and sadly is unlikely to ever go away.
Will make a note, for a later read. Actually, within a research in similar cases my brain is a little bit overloaded. Thank you, Pete! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is an upsetting read, Michael. Perhaps best to come back to it later.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree with you, Pete! But it sounds very useful to read. Thanks for sharing! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am scared. I think, I will have nightmares for many coming days. I remember an old man touching me inappropriately once when I was 10, alone with him in an office. I ran away, unscathed and yet, it gave me creeps for many years. I was afraid to be alone with any man for years to come. For these children who dealt with so much sexual abuse for so many years from so many people who were supposed to protect them, one can only imagine their emotional state.
I wish their was a way to hang them all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is worrying indeed, Shaily. And it never ends, sadly.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Trauma from unhindered toxic abuse, sexual or otherwise, usually results in a helpless child’s brain improperly developing. If allowed to continue for a prolonged period, it can act as a starting point into a life in which the brain uncontrollably releases potentially damaging levels of inflammation-promoting stress hormones and chemicals, even in non-stressful daily routines. It has been described as a continuous, discomforting anticipation of ‘the other shoe dropping’ and simultaneously being scared of how badly you will deal with the upsetting event, which usually never transpires.
The lingering emotional/psychological pain from such intense trauma is very formidable yet invisibly confined to inside one’s head. It is solitarily suffered, unlike an openly visible physical disability or condition, such as paralysis, a missing limb or eye, all of which tends to elicit sympathy/empathy from others. It can make every day a mental ordeal, unless the turmoil is treated with some form of medicating, either prescribed or illicit. Any resultant addiction is likely his/her attempt at silencing the anguish of PTSD symptoms through substance abuse.
Since so much of our lifelong health comes from our childhood experiences, childhood mental health-care should generate as much societal concern and government funding as does physical health, even though psychological illness/dysfunction typically is not immediately visually observable. My own experience has revealed that notable high-scoring adverse childhood experience trauma resulting from a highly sensitive and low self-confidence introverted existence, amplified by an accompanying autism spectrum disorder, can readily lead an adolescent to a substance-abuse/self-medicating disorder.
Like countless other people, I believe the wellbeing of all children — and not just what other parents’ children might/will cost us as future criminals or costly cases of government care, etcetera — should be of importance to us all, regardless of whether we’re doing a great job with our own developing children. A mentally sound future should be every child’s fundamental right (along with clean air, water and food), especially considering the very troubled world into which they never asked to enter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much for your detailed comment, containing so much research.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for posting the article and your own experience/comments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Social Services are overwhelmed. Many kids slip under the radar unfortunately.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This case in Ireland was just awful.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely horrific and scary. The kind of things grown adults could do to those kids, painful!
So many bad things like this are still ongoing somewhere in different parts of the world. People need to intervene!
I’m glad that some teachers watch carefully and keenly. No one would have guessed that such was going on.
I’m still in shock.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tega. That’s why I added a warning on the post. This was hard to read, and almost impossible to believe it happened so recently.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
I read this. Yes, it is shocking and upsetting. I only wish it hadn’t taken so long. The father’s last statement was creepy, as if he might get the children back when they’re 18. At school I am a ‘mandated reporter’. I must report any suspected neglected or abuse. If something happened to a child and I did not report it, I would be fired on the spot. I have only had to make one report. If a teacher is accused of anything, s/he must be immediately escorted from the building until there is an investigation. Still, these things happen behind closed doors- everywhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That added responsibilty when teaching young children must be stressful for you Jennie, I’m sure.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is. My wonderful neighbor purposely teaches in one of the toughest areas. She files reports daily.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too many people will procreate regardless of their questionable ability to raise their children in a mentally healthy/functional manner. Being free nations, society cannot prevent anyone from bearing children. Society can, however, thoroughly educate all young people for the most important job ever, even those who currently plan to remain childless. … Since so much of our lifelong health comes from our childhood experiences, childhood mental health-care should generate as much societal concern and government funding as does physical health, even though psychological illness/dysfunction typically is not immediately visually observable.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well said.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hard to believe this still happens to children all over the world? So incredibly sad. C
LikeLiked by 1 person
And this in modern-day Ireland, a member of the EU. Not in some remote tribal community.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly there are all too many similar stories Pete. I don’t know about England, but here in the U.S. we don’t have enough social workers, and those we do have are overworked and underpaid.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This story is from Ireland, but we have many similar ones in England, Wales, and Scotland. Despite the supposedly close watch of our social services, it never stops. It’s tragic indeed, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Way too overworked and not enough!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Horrific story Pete. So east to carry on in a conspiracy of silence where neighbours don’t talk and nor do families.. This was a case where it took much longer that normal to investigate, evaluate, and act.
Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed, David. I can only imagine how awful life was for those children
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Truly appalling and inconceivable!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It makes you wonder about those closed doors in quiet streets.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You must have seen some difficult things Pete!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes. There was a lot of routine work, some very amusing things at times, and then many things I can never ‘unsee’. There is a lot more to that job than road accidents and heart attacks, unfortunately. Did you ever read any of my Ambulance Stories? There are over 80 of them, all factual accounts.
https://beetleypete.com/category/ambulance-stories/
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read a couple but I will read more. You have a gift for writing which makes those stories compelling. So many people who serve the public are taken for granted and sadly most of their stories remain untold. Glad I found you Pete!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carolyn. Some of the earlier ones are quite amusing. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The system is broken and sadly people suffer for years with let up before their relief comes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is one of the worst cases I have read about in years, Taylor-Leigh.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
it sounds like it’s not for the faint of heart, Pete. i’ll pass…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps best to do that, Wilma. I wouldn’t want you to be upset.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
this is incredibly horrible and sad
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s like something from an older, darker time, and yet it happened just a few years ago.
Thanks for reading, Beth.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So incredibly sad…. I work in a child abuse clinic and this was still very bad to digest…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have my respect for doing that job, BB. I saw enough of that when I was an EMT.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A truly harrowing read and recognition that we rarely truly know what goes on in other peoples homes. The years the children were left in that environment while ‘specialist services’ gave the family time to ‘get their act together’ and demonstrate they could properly care for their children, beggars belief. I understand that parents can struggle and often their parenting style comes from the parenting they themselves received, but what a protracted process it was to get to the point of recognition that the children were not safe in their parents care. I can only hope that the children have the resilience they will need to rise above this start to their lives. Of course, it goes without saying, they will need support including therapeutic support to develop emotionally – my hope is that they receive it.
Angie
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for your comment, Angela. I am still overwhelmed by this story days after reading it.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
So hard to believe it when the children were going to school, there were neighbours and the family were known about by social workers. We’re not allowed to say such things as ‘ shouldn’t be allowed to breed’ but that is what comes to mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is one of the worst abuse stories I have read in recent years, Janet.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is beyond upsetting isn’t it
Ete. Truly horrific i heard of something recently in my own town that made my blood boil.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Just when you think social services are on top of things like this, it seems we couldn’t be more wrong.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
This is very true Pete xx
LikeLiked by 1 person