If the child asks you not to tell anyone, this is not a secret that you can keep.

This is because you could be placing the child or young person at further risk of continued abuse, or even more serious harm.

In effect, you become part of the abuse because you are: 

• colluding with the alleged abuser by maintaining the secret
• protecting the alleged abuser and not the child or young person
• breaching the law which requires you to report

Remember, notification is mandatory under Section 31 of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 for all clergy, employees, and volunteers of the archdiocese. 

Reporting of suspected child sexual abuse perpetrated by a member of the clergy or an employee of the archdiocese is also a requirement under Section 64 A of the Criminal Law and Consolidation Act 1935 for all clergy, employees, and volunteers of the archdiocese. This means that failure to report may incur criminal penalties. 

You are not helping the child or young person if you agree not to tell anyone.