ISPCC apologises for giving incorrect statistics
By Tom Hayes, December 06, 2005
Fiona Gartland
06/12/2005
The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has apologised to 45,000 homes and businesses that received inaccurate information through the charity's Christmas fundraising mail-out.
The charity said it would offer anyone who makes a donation based on the mail-out the opportunity to withdraw it, after it discovered that it had given out inaccurate statistics.
In a letter entitled "What a difference a day can make. . . 24 little hours", the ISPCC said that over the next 24 hours in Ireland one child would commit suicide, at least two would be sexually abused, two Traveller children would die, 20 children would become pregnant and at least 30 children would begin abusing drugs or alcohol.
The statistics should have read that over the next 24 hours in Ireland one child would be sexually abused and over the next seven days 12 children would give birth.
It should also have said that during the next month it was likely that one young person would take his or her own life.
It should have read that infant mortality rates among Travellers is three times higher than in the settled population and that 39 per cent of 15-16 year olds have used cannabis.
The figures were based on information from the Department of Health, Central Statistics Office, ISPCC, Leanbh and Childline, Health Service Executive and Combat Poverty.
A spokesman for the ISPCC said the error in the mail-out was the result of an earlier draft of the statistics being sent to the printers.
It was only discovered after most of the mail-out had been posted and 5,000 letters, which had not yet been posted, were withdrawn.
"The ISPCC apologises unreservedly for this mistake, as the society understands the importance of presenting accurate statistics in all of its communications with the public," the spokesman said.
"The ISPCC simply could not survive without the continued support of those who donate time, money or expertise to the society and is very conscious of the moral obligation and responsibility placed on it by Irish society to continue to work for, with and on behalf of children," the spokesman added.
� The Irish Times