According to the special rapporteur on Child Protection, Ireland may potentially be a ‘world leader’ in using facility dogs when it comes to assisting in the needs of those who suffered sexual abuse.
New research will examine the effectiveness of facility dogs in decreasing the risk of re-traumatisation of people who have experienced sexual abuse.
Besides the risk of re-traumatisation, children who have undergone this type of trauma have difficulty sharing the details of their experiences and trusting adults. The presence of these facility dogs can reduce their biological stress indicators.
In the centre of Galway, the Barnahaus/Onehouse, a multi-agency specialist centre for victims of child abuse, will welcome these facility dogs, making it a cutting-edge, global leader in caring for child victims.