A Northern Ireland parent, whose son was sexually abused in the early 1990s, is calling for stricter laws for failing to report child abusers to the police.

The father - who cannot be named for legal reasons - is campaigning for laws which will ensure people in authority, such as churches, schools and care organisations are obliged to report abusers.

Throughout his campaign he has contacted a wide range of politicians including the members of the Stormont Assembly's Education Committee.

It is due to meet on Thursday to discuss new education legislation, in particular Clause 16, which will provide all schools with a written child protection policy.

By making it a criminal offence to fail to report child abuse we are making a statement that we will no longer tolerate this scourge in our society

Father of sex abuse victim

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, "Michael" told of his son's abuse.

"One fateful Friday night in May 1999, we actually discovered for the first time the reason for our son's chaotic behaviour throughout most of his adolescent years," he said.

"He told us he'd been sexually abused when he was only 10 years old."

It was only in the wake of these words, words which "Michael" says no parent wants to hear, that he realised there was a loophole in the law.

"Most people in Northern Ireland today would not believe it is not a criminal offence to fail to report knowledge and/or suspicion of child abuse," he explained.

'Proactive'

"It is only an offence to fail to report an arrestable offence as defined under the Criminal Law Act 1967 and not all offences of child abuse are arrestable offences."

"Michael" said his son had been so traumatised by the abuse he had made numerous attempts to take his own life and self harm.

Since he started his campaign three years ago there have been more than 1,300 reported sexual assaults against children.

He says he does not want another child to suffer.

"We have to be proactive in our attempts to remove the opportunity for this to happen and by making it a criminal offence to fail to report child abuse we are making a statement that we will no longer tolerate this scourge in our society," he added.

"Michael" said after many hospitals and thousands of pounds worth of medical treatment his son no longer blamed himself.

He said that was something the perpetrator had to deal with every morning he looked in the mirror.