In the coming days our television screens are going to be hit with a disturbing but extremely important message about children’s rights.
A young boy, who repeats over and over that he will stand up for children’s rights, is persistently beaten by a man. “I have the right to be happy,” “I’ll fight for the rights of children like me who don’t have a childhood,” and “I can’t wait until I grow up,” are just some of the messages in the ad.
This week the ISPCC launched its summer campaign entitled “I Can’t Wait Until I Grow Up”, coinciding with the release of the 2010 Childline statistics. The campaign, which will run for the month of May, highlights that childhood is supposed to be one of the happiest and safest times in a child’s life, yet for many Irish children who contact Childline this is simply not the case.
Childline receives more than 2,300 calls and messages per day — that is two every minute. Yet due to a lack of funding and resources 35 per cent more calls still go unanswered.
When talking about statistics it is easy to forget that behind the numbers are real children who are suffering abuse at the hands of their parents, guardians, peers, and from different aspects of society.
Volunteer recruitment
The Childline Castlebar office opened in March 2009. Last year the charity had 32 volunteers and it is currently recruiting volunteers for its phone and text service. Childline Mayo is holding an information evening on Monday May 16 at 6.30pm at the ISPCC, Unit 14C, N5 Business Park, Castlebar, so if you have a few hours a week to spare to answer calls, texts, or emails from children in distress, then contact Childline immediately where staff will give you all the training and support necessary to take on such a responsible role.
Last year the Castlebar office answered 25,970 calls and 2,407 texts. This is done without any government funding whatsoever.
To coincide with the launch of the Childline stats 2010, the Castlebar service held its own launch with former Mountjoy governor John Lonergan the keynote speaker. The statistics were also launched by former Mayo football captain Trevor Mortimer who spoke of the pressures on young people. He said listening and talking are very much part of winning and losing in sport. He added that he hoped that by lending his support to Childline the campaign would receive some added exposure.
Having given 42 years of his life to the prison service, 26 of those as governor of Mountjoy, Mr Lonergan was confronted with a lot of child abuse and suffering children. “You come across a lot of reality of life in prison. Children are the huge sufferers,” he told the large gathering on Tuesday.
“It’s a cruel society in many ways. The children of the imprisoned are never talked about,” added Mr Lonergan who said the visiting facilities in prison for children coming to see their parents are “brutal”.
Abuse not confined to certain classes
But child abuse is not limited to a certain social class. “Regardless of class we don’t know what happens behind closed doors. People who are affluent are often too busy to make time for children. Just look at the number of children who ring up to talk about normal things like their first disco,” the ex prison officer reminded us all. But the problem is that “lower down the social scale parents don’t often have the knowhow”.
According to Mr Lonergan, “parenting is the most responsible job you’ll ever take on. You start off knowing nothing. There is no manual, no rules, no guidelines.” Not claiming to be an expert on the subject, this very likeable and inspiring man said no job was as important as taking on the responsibility of becoming a parent.
Looking back in history, he added that there was no perfect era where children received the protection and rights they deserve. “There were good things in the old days and horrible things. But during the Celtic Tiger we became obsessed with ourselves and materialistic things.”
One of the keys to affording children the rights they deserve is listening. “We’re not great at listening. Any human being can be a great listener but it takes training. The oul’ devil comes into your head and diverts you away from listening. But when you have told your story the world is not as bad or hopeless as before.”
The problem in the past was that children were told to be seen and not heard, according to Mr Lonergan, and sometimes adults did not want to see them either. “It’s no wonder sexual abuse was rampant. We didn’t know what our rights as children were,” Mr Lonergan added.
Thirty five per cent of calls unanswered
In terms of volunteering the former Mountjoy governor suggested that the unemployed have a lot to offer. He also added that retired people have not retired from life and they too can volunteer for the likes of Childline and would have a lot to offer. It would be important in the future that those 35 per cent of calls that go unanswered are answered. “It is achievable. Giving four hours a week is a great achievement but it is nothing. All the time that is wasted watching Coronation Street or arguing about football or hurling. The great gift is to serve others,” we are reminded by Mr Lonergan.
Children must know there is hope. With 12 per cent of calls relating to mental illness Mr Lonergan mentioned the high level of self harm which is prevalent in prison. “It’s the reality of some people who are in despair. They rip their arms apart and feel great relief.” But he said it was important for us all to “make time, make space, every day in your lives to listen” and to do so in a non-judgmental way. “If you haven’t communication you have nothing,” explained Mr Lonergan.
Expressing his absolute shock that the ISPCC receives no government funding and must rely solely on corporate sponsors and public donations, Mr Lonergan was critical of the Government, pointing out it was its job to invest in the support and resources necessary to protect children. But “unfortunately there is a whole lot of other stuff higher on the agenda than ensuring children’s rights are protected”, added a clearly frustrated Mr Lonergan. And he left us with the sombre thought: “Rejection is the most hurtful human feeling.”
Childline, a free phone service available 365 days a year for people up to the age of 18, is available on 1800 666666, or check out childline.ie for the live web chat and one-to-one messaging. Alternatively text ‘talk’ to 50101 for free.
