Children traumatised by the violent death of a parent or sibling are being left without vital supports due to a lack of Government funding.
AdVIC - the only service providing homicide bereavement counselling - has had to withdraw counselling services for youngsters because resources are limited to 12 sessions per minor.
The advocacy group for families of homicide victims sought a meeting with the Minister for Children last April but to date their request has gone unanswered.
AdVIC says short-term intervention risks long-term consequences including substance abuse, flashbacks and panic attacks - and open-ended counselling is needed.
Spokeswoman Kamila Lewandowska told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “Demand for our counselling service is growing and currently exceeds our resources.
“The increasing number of deaths by violent assault and homicide in Ireland has resulted in young children and adolescents needing specialized support to help manage and cope with the loss of a close family member.”
The service for children was suspended in November 2021 after counsellors expressed concerns that anything other than open-ended sessions is “unsafe and simply unethical”.
AdVIC wants more funding so it can recruit more qualified psychotherapists and provide a long-term counselling service for bereaved children and adolescents aged 7-16.
Ms Lewandowska said: “Referrals to HSE counselling are not appropriate as there are extensive waiting lists, and it is not ethical to work with a young person for 12 weeks and refer them to a service with a long waiting list.
“Although family members try to protect children from the horrific details of homicide, children are exposed to details about the tragedy as they routinely access the internet.
“Early appropriate intervention based on clinical need and not limited by a number of sessions is required to address the complex nature of childhood loss, grief and trauma.”
A spokesman for Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said: “The Minister was unable to meet with AdVic but asked Tusla to meet with the organisation.”
He said following the meeting with Tusla a funding request from AdVIC to extend its funding “was being completed and would be forwarded to Tusla”.
