Confidence in Identifying Child Abuse and Neglect: National Research From School Principals in Ireland

• In Event: Learning and Leading; Developing, Renewing, and Advancing School Community and Culture

Abstract

Registered teachers in Ireland have mandatory child protection obligations since 2018. Research conducted with 647 Irish primary school principals in 2023 to ascertain their experiences found that neglect is the category of abuse which their schools deal with most frequently whilst sexual abuse is the category with which they report dealing least often. Almost 85% report confidence in dealing with physical abuse and 77% in dealing with neglect whilst only 55% and 51% report confidence in dealing with emotional abuse and sexual abuse respectively. A significant association exists between gender and reported confidence in dealing with emotional abuse, and also with neglect. Recommendations include supports to address this lack of confidence, and more research into its association with gender.

Authors

• Mia Treacy, Mary Immaculate College

• Margaret M Nohilly, Mary Immaculate College