A support group working on behalf of victims of sexual abuse at Spiritan educational establishments has voiced concerns that the new government-led statutory investigation into abuses at religious-run boarding and day schools might hinder or postpone the progress of justice restoration or similar support schemes for victims. Such schemes are currently operational or being finalised with the religious bodies running these schools.
Restore Together, an organisation that has been assisting over 300 victims of sexual abuse from Spiritan schools, has sent a letter to the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, calling for an urgent discussion on this matter. While not opposed to a statutory investigation, they emphasised that it should be framed in a way that does not cause further acquisition delay for victims seeking immediate justice. As stated in their release, the victims have been shouldering the brunt of the abuse for years, and their daily sufferings are compounded by every delay, hindering their recuperation.
Last week, the leaders of the government parties met with Minister Foley to review a comprehensive scoping report of over 700 pages, put together by senior counsel Mary O’Toole following discussions with abuse victims, handed over to the minister the previous month. The report is understood to recommend the launch of a statutory investigation into abuse allegations at boarding and day schools overseen by religious orders – potentially covering the sexual abuse of thousands of children.
The scoping report’s suggestions were scheduled for Cabinet discussion last Wednesday but got postponed. On approval by Cabinet, potentially next September, arrangements for the publication of the scoping report will continue, leading to the anticipated establishment of a statutory inquiry. This week, further reports suggested that a financial compensation scheme would be implemented upon conclusion of such a probe, with the religious orders expected to contribute at least partly to the funding.
The “Restore Together” entity has expressed their concerns regarding the time-consuming inquiries and tribunals, which they believe delay justice and closure for the affected parties. They assert their firm belief that each statutory inquiry should be designed in a way that it allows multiple functions to concurrently work towards providing relief to the victim/survivors.
This implies that the unique circumstances of every individual should be addressed expeditiously within a specific division, without requiring to pause for the outcomes of the division investigating the broader systemic problems regarding the reasons and concealment of such abuse.
Interestingly, a few religious orders have demonstrated their commitment towards improvement by agreeing to apply restorative justice approaches for the victims/survivors’ benefit. Moreover, they have pledged towards compensatory strategies for those who endured such suffering. However, the group suggests that the progress achieved over years should not be sidelined or pushed back by any government-driven initiative.
The group acknowledges the immense bravery it takes for the survivors to seek assistance and justice from a progressively open Irish society receptive to their concerns. This quest for justice has been distressing for numerous individuals. However, the survivors of Spiritan misuse had anticipated that their journey towards justice and recovery would be farther advanced than the current situation. The group highlights that every delay exacerbates their trauma and negatively impacts their health, and the thought of possible delays due to a statutory inquiry, is already creating immense tension within the community.
Currently, “Restore Together” is in collaboration with the Spiritans to offer restorative justice programmes professionally guided to alleviate the suffering experienced in childhood and continued into adulthood.