Child Sexual Abuse Conference Supports Prevention-Led National Action
International experts, survivors, researchers and practitioners gather in Dublin to advance prevention through intervention
28 Bealtaine 2026
News
Conference speakers and Organising Committee
The Alders Unit at Children’s Health Ireland hosted a landmark two-day national conference, Child Sexual Abuse; Preventable Not Inevitable, on 21-22 May 2026, bringing together international experts, Irish researchers, frontline practitioners, survivors, and policy leaders to advance a prevention-focused response to child sexual abuse in Ireland.
Held at Trinity College Dublin and The Richmond Education and Event Centre, the conference focused on the urgent need to shift public understanding and professional practice towards prevention through intervention, recognising child sexual abuse as a major public health issue that can and must be prevented.
Delegates welcomed an opening address from Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan. The conference was delivered in partnership with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health experts Elizabeth Letourneau, PhD, Director of MOORE | Preventing Child Sexual Abuse, and Aengus Ó Dochartaigh, Director of Outreach. Their presentations highlighted international evidence-based approaches to prevention and demonstrated how global initiatives are successfully reducing harm through early intervention, public health frameworks, and targeted prevention strategies.
The conference marked an important milestone in strengthening Ireland’s commitment to preventing child sexual abuse and building safer communities through research, collaboration, awareness and early intervention.
Over two days, delegates explored how Ireland can build a coordinated national prevention framework informed by international research, survivor voices, and emerging evidence. Discussions focused on changing societal conversations around sexual harm, strengthening early intervention services, preventing secondary traumatisation, and supporting children, young people and families before harm escalates. Powerful testimony delivered from the Kavanagh Sisters, and several young survivors currently in Alders’ services, detailed their lived experiences of childhood sexual abuse, the impact on families, and the importance of breaking cycles of silence and abuse.
Additional presentations explored the impact of pornography on young people, prevention messaging, and the development of a national child sexual abuse preventative framework in Ireland.
Lucy Nugent, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Ireland, said; “I was deeply moved by what survivors shared at the Alders National Conference. Hearing first-hand accounts of the lifelong impact of child sexual abuse reinforced the importance of listening to survivors, amplifying their voices, and ensuring their experiences drive meaningful change.
“As an organisation, we remain fully committed to continuing to highlight this critical issue, supporting awareness and advocacy efforts, and working alongside those dedicated to protecting children and supporting survivors. These conversations are difficult, but they are necessary, and we all have a responsibility to ensure they continue to be heard.”
Director of the Alders Unit CHI at Connolly, Keith O’Reilly, added:
“The Alders National Conference highlighted not only the significant impact of child sexual abuse, but also the urgent need for continued collaboration, education and accountability across all sectors working with children and families. What stood out most was the courage of survivors in sharing their experiences to help drive awareness and change. Their voices challenge all of us; policymakers, organisations and communities, to do more to strengthen safeguarding practices, improve supports, and ensure survivors are met with compassion and understanding."
“At the Alders Unit, we are committed to keeping this issue firmly on the agenda and continuing to work with partners to promote prevention, protection and meaningful support for those affected.”
Additionally, Breege Maxwell, Interim Director of Alders Unit, CHI at Tallaght stated:
“The advanced treatments and therapies offered by The Alders Unit are leading the way in intervention and prevention of Child Sexual abuse and exploitation in line with the current and emerging landscape"
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O'Callaghan