An Irish charity which supports survivors of childhood sexual abuse says almost half its clients last year were men.

One in Four says it helped 911 people in 2018 - 42% of whom were men.

Just over 100 people used its psychotherapy programme for the first time.

The charity says 24% of these people had attempted to take their own lives before they met them.

Some 146 people attended individual and group psychotherapy.

And 556 people engaged with its advocacy programme, seeking practical information and support.

Its officers supported 35 people through criminal trials, and provided 11 people with support in civil processes.

Of the criminal trials that were completed there were four guilty pleas, two guilty verdicts, one not guilty verdict, three cases of a hung jury and two mistrials.

The other cases are on-going. It also made 63 child protection notifications to Tusla.

At the launch of its 2018 annual report, its waiting lists were closed for four months - causing "great concern about what might have happened to the people they could not meet."

CEO Maeve Lewis says: "In 2018 the Belfast rape trial and the visit of Pope Francis led to a surge in demand for our services.

"It is very positive that people who have experienced child sexual abuse reach out for help, but it is really terrifying when we cannot offer a service.

"Unfortunately our application for emergency funding in these exceptional circumstances was unsuccessful, and we will always wonder what happened to the people we had to turn away. Access to expert help should be every survivor's right."

Last year the charity worked with 52 sex offenders through its Phoenix Programme, ranging in age from 18 to 69.

It revealed that 16 had abused a family member, 11 had abused a known child and 21 abused on-line.

Chairperson David Holohan and CEO Maeve Lewis at the launch of the 2018 One in Four annual report in Dublin | Image: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

The Phoenix Programme provides a therapeutic intervention to men who have sexually abused children.

Almost half the men have never been convicted of their crimes but are willing to admit to causing sexual harm.

One in Four also provided psychotherapy to 146 men and women who had experienced child sexual abuse and 80 family members.

The average waiting time was six months.

Ms Lewis adds: "Child sexual abuse is a hidden scourge in Irish society and it has blighted the lives of one in four of our citizens.

"At One in Four we have a deep understanding of the harm caused by child sexual abuse and its impact across a person's lifetime.

"Recovery from its effects can be a long, painful journey requiring expert help but it can truly change the trajectory of a person's life and also have a positive impact on their family and community.

"Our clients were failed by their families and society when they were children. They deserve our timely care and attention now."

Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact One in Four on 01-66-24070 or email info@oneinfour.ie