2.2A Guidance on Protection for Persons Submitting a Report

There is a requirement to report all allegations, suspicions and concerns of child abuse.  Protection must be provided to all people who report child abuse to the statutory authorities in good faith. Within civil law in the Republic of Ireland, anyone who notifies An Garda Siochana and Tusla of an allegation, suspicion or concern relating to the abuse of a child, who has the best interests of the child in mind is protected from any legal action for defamation.

 Equally steps must be taken, as required by canon law to ensure that anyone who reports an allegation should not be treated adversely.

The following sets out the civil and canon law requirements: Civil Legislation – Republic of Ireland People are protected in civil law for reporting abuse, in line with Protections of Persons Reporting abuse Act 1998 (ROI).  Which states that a: ‘person […] shall not be liable in damages in respect of the communication, whether in writing or otherwise, by him or her to an appropriate person of his or her opinion that— (a) a child has been or is being assaulted, ill-treated, neglected or sexually abused, or (b) a child’s health, development or welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected, unless it is proved that he or she has not acted reasonably and in good faith in forming that opinion and communicating it to the appropriate person.’

 In addition, whistleblowing in the Republic of Ireland is enshrined in legislation entitled the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. (1)

Canon Law There is now a requirement in canon law to ensure that those making a report pursuant to the delicts outlined in Vos estis lux mundi (2) shall not constitute a violation of office confidentiality. Except as provided for by canons 1390 CIC and 1452 and 1454 CCEO, prejudice, retaliation or discrimination as a consequence of having submitted a report is prohibited.

Additionally, Vos estis lux mundi explicitly forbids any imposition of silence on a person making a report regarding the delicts outlined in Article 1.

(1) Criminal Justice Act 2006; Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012; Children First Act 2015;Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017; Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998; and National Policy (Children First: National Guidance 2017; (2) Vos estis lux mundi, 2019.