Foster care is in the spotlight once again.
In a special report, reporter Aoife Hegarty and producer David Doran will reveal another foster care scandal, this time in the West of Ireland, where children were left at risk for years despite sexual abuse allegations.
It’s not the first time the issue of foster care has been in the spotlight. RTÉ’s Investigations Unit previously revealed the story of a young woman in foster care now known by the pseudonym ‘Grace’. ‘Grace’, who has profound intellectual disabilities, was left in a foster home in Waterford for almost 20 years despite a succession of sexual abuse allegations.
That horrific story prompted Taoiseach Enda Kenny to say “words do not exist to describe, adequately, the depth and the volume of the revulsion we feel about the alleged abuse and failures we’ve heard of”.
RTÉ’s Investigations Unit has now uncovered another case with similarities to the Waterford story where children were also left in the care of a foster family – in the West of Ireland – for several years despite serious allegations of sexual abuse against one family member.
Unlike the historical nature of the Waterford story, the foster family at the centre of this case has, until recently, continued to provide support services.
RTÉ Prime Time, Failure to Foster Care, airs at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ News Now.
If you are, or know of anyone, that has been subjected to sexual abuse then there are outlets that can help. Rape Crisis Help at 1800 778888 and OneinFour offer professional help and care.
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