Alcohol Action Ireland press release, November 1, 2024
Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI), the national independent advocate for reducing alcohol harm, is proud to announce the launch of End the Silence 2024 – a series of three events that take place on November 5th, 6th and 8th. End the Silence forms part of Alcohol Action Ireland’s initiative Silent Voices, which seeks to raise awareness of the issues arising from growing up with alcohol harm in the home and put forward policy solutions to address these issues.
An estimated 200,000 children in Ireland are currently living with the traumatic circumstances of a childhood where parental problem alcohol use (PPAU) is a regular event, with a further one million adults living with its legacy – that’s almost a quarter of the population. The three events that comprise End the Silence 2024 – two live webinars and an in-person event at Dublin’s Mansion House – will explore different but interlinked aspects of this experience.
There is also a heavy financial cost to the State from PPAU. Speaking at the first event, Prof Karen Hughes, Public Health Wales, will present evidence published in the Lancet indicating that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are estimated to cost the Irish exchequer 2% of GDP annually, with 31% of that taken up by alcohol, meaning that PPAU costs the State 0.6% of GDP – that’s almost €3billion a year.
AAI CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany said: “The impact of problem alcohol use on the family is extensive. Growing up in a home where there is parental problem alcohol use has been recognised internationally as an ACE for over 25 years, and there are often long-lasting psychological impacts and distresses that can carry into adulthood and last a lifetime.
“End the Silence 2024 looks to break the peculiarly Irish taboo on discussing the impact of harmful drinking on children. In the live webinars we will look at how ACEs can have ripple effects throughout a person’s lifetime and how early intervention strategies for children can have long-lasting impacts, while our in-person event at the Mansion House promises to be a powerful and uplifting exploration of healing from alcohol harm in the home through music and stories.”
While the two live webinars (Trauma’s Ripples Through Time, Tuesday November 5, 11am-1pm; Breaking the Domino Effect, Friday November 8, 11am-1pm) are geared towards professionals and people with an interest in the area, squeezed between them is a FREE evening of music and storytelling, the theme of which will explore healing from alcohol harm in the home. Voices of Hope and Courage takes place on Wednesday, November 6th (7pm-9pm). Featuring the mesmerising music of harp and flute duo Celtic Grace, there will also be readings from author Aisling Creegan and Silent Voices’ Barbara Whelan. Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan will open the event. The event is FREE but places are limited and must be booked in advance.
One straightforward measure that could easily be implemented in Ireland with the right political will is Operation Encompass, which would facilitate an early information sharing partnership between Gardai and schools, enabling schools and teachers to offer immediate intervention and support for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. Information would be shared by Gardai with a school’s designated officer prior to the start of the next school day, after the Gardai had attended a domestic incident. This would ensure appropriate assistance and care is given, depending on the needs and wishes of the child. In May 2023, the programme was officially rolled out across all 1,162 schools in Northern Ireland. By May 2024, more than 23,000 referrals had been made. However, despite some indications of movement from government on this issue, there is still no sign of this simple yet critical measure being introduced here.
Dr Gilheany continued: “While it can never be an excuse for violence, alcohol is a commercial driver of family violence and plays a significant role in both accelerating violence and amplifying it. Alcohol use significantly increases the occurrence and severity of domestic abuse and the link between alcohol consumption and partner aggression increases in countries where heavy episodic drinking is the norm – as it is in Ireland.
“Every child has the right to grow up in a home where they are taken care of and where they are treated with dignity and respect. It is imperative, therefore, that the impact of domestic abuse, and indeed alcohol harm in the home, is addressed by the State and it is vitally important that children and young people are supported early to navigate the chaos that these experiences bring to their lives.Operation Encompass would put these children on the radar of a caring adult which can be a vital step in reducing the impact of the harms experienced.”
Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan said: “Parental problem alcohol use is an issue that goes right to the heart of Irish society and there are very few families in Ireland who haven’t been affected by alcohol harm. We know that growing up with alcohol harm in the home can have a multitude of impacts on a child’s well-being, some of which can last a lifetime if left untreated. Given the scale of the issue you would expect that this would be discussed frequently in the media and elsewhere. Instead, there is near silence on this most hidden of alcohol harms.
“Yet children are crying out to have their voices heard. The days of a child being ‘seen and not heard’ belong firmly in the past. That is why I am delighted to be part of this event, because it is only by facing up to and confronting the issues that arise from problem alcohol use in the home at events like this that healing can begin.”
Artist and author Aisling Creegan said: “There is a huge need for treatment centres that focus on family – for spouses and partners and children of alcoholics – preferably with therapists that come with first-hand knowledge of alcohol abuse. Teachers should also be encouraged to use the Junior and Senior Cycle resources about drugs and alcohol, which are called Healthy Choices and Know The Score. Children from first class in primary schools should be reassured by teachers that it’s ok to say no if they feel uncomfortable when asked to kiss or hug strangers or even family members, particularly when there’s alcohol involved.”
ENDS
NOTES
- For media queries, contact Conor Keane on 087 995 0186 or email conor.keane@alcoholactionireland.ie
- The three events that make up End the Silence 2024 are:
Trauma’s Ripples Through Time (Tuesday November 5, 11am-1pm, online)
This live webinar will discuss the lifelong impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Featuring psychotherapist and author Dr Richard Hogan, Professor Karen Hughes (Directorate of Policy, Research and International Development, Public Health Wales) and Dr Clíona Ní Cheallaigh (Associate Professor, TCD, Consultant St James Hospital).
Book here
Voices of Hope and Courage (Wednesday, November 6th, 7pm-9pm, Mansion House, Dublin)
Voices of Hope and Courage is a free arts-focused in-person event at the Mansion House, Dublin that will explore healing from alcohol harm in the home through music and storytelling. Featuring the harp and flute of Celtic Grace, there will be stories from author Aisling Creegan and Silent Voices’ Barbara Whelan. Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan will open the event. The theme of the evening is the exploration of healing from alcohol harm in the home. It promises to be a powerful and uplifting evening.
The event is FREE but places are limited and must be booked in advance here
Breaking the Domino Effect (Friday November 8, 11am-1pm, online)
This live webinar, chaired by Caroline Jordan (Tusla), will discuss how early intervention strategies for children can have lasting impacts. Featuring Dr Hannah Todman (Stockport Family Workforce Development Manager), Dr Annemarie Millar (Queen’s University Belfast), Fiona Kearney (Familibase) and Hilary Henriques MBE (Nacoa UK).
Book here
- Silent Voices policy briefing here
- Operation Encompass, which AAI and Silent Voices have been advocating for since 2020, is supported by organisations such as the Children’s Rights Alliance, ISPCC, INTO, the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, Chair of the Irish Association of Social Workers, Vivian Guerin, the former Special Rapporteur on Child Protection Conor O’Mahony, and many others. Currently under consideration by the Dept of Justice as part of the Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
- Free toolkit of resources – AAI_toolkit_Interactive_.pdf (alcoholireland.ie)
