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Thursday, June 17, 2010
Child begging
FOLLOWING the recent introduction of legislation to tackle the issue of begging, the ISPCC would like to take the opportunity to highlight the worrying issue of child begging.
The new legislation introduced clarifies that it is not illegal for an adult to beg unless the person harasses, intimidates, assaults or threatens any other person or obstructs the passage of persons or vehicles.
However, child begging is an entirely different matter and it represents serious child protection and welfare concerns. The reasons people beg are both complex and varied.
Very often begging is seen as a cultural norm but this is not always the case. Sometimes, vulnerable people find themselves in a situation where they cannot see any other options, and sometimes children are being sent out on the streets to beg.
Whatever the reasons, it is clear that child begging is not acceptable and it is an issue that needs to be addressed through a comprehensive range of support services aimed at addressing the root cause of begging.
Child begging is a clear-cut child protection concern and as such, needs a different approach to adults who are begging on both a legislative and service provision basis.
Child begging can only be eliminated through the involvement of individuals, communities, the government and society in general.
Our advice to the public is as follows: treat the child with respect and with kindness. If you want to give something, give some food or a hot drink. You can also talk to a garda on the street or phone the local garda station.
If you have ongoing concerns about a child begging you can also contact the Health Service Executive or the ISPCC on 01-2342009 or 087-062 519.
The ISPCC believes that we as a society can end this form of child exploitation, but we all have an important role to play.
Caroline O’Sullivan
Director of Services
ISPCC
Submitted by email
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