DUBLIN (IRELAND)
Government of Ireland [Dublin, Ireland]
September 3, 2024
Minister for Education Norma Foley has announced that a Commission of Investigation is to be established, following a recommendation in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry set up to examine historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.
The Scoping Inquiry has been told of some 2,395 allegations of historical sexual abuse, involving 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools across all parts of the country between the years 1927 to 2013. Most of these allegations have been reported from the records of some 42 religious orders who currently or previously ran schools in Ireland.
The establishment of a State inquiry into historical sexual abuse is one of a number of recommendations made by Senior Counsel, Mary O’Toole in her report to the Minister.
The Scoping Inquiry organised a Survivor Engagement process where those who had experienced sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders were invited to come forward and share their views regarding an appropriate State response.
Participants reported experiences of sexual abuse in primary, post-primary and special schools, both public and private, run by religious orders across the country.
The report of the Scoping Inquiry contains detailed accounts of sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault and is deeply distressing to read.
Minister Foley is making the full report of the independent Scoping Inquiry available to those who participated in the Scoping Inquiry’s Survivor Engagement process first, in line with her previous commitment to them and the sensitive and personal nature of its contents. It will subsequently be published online later today.
Minister Foley said:
“The Report of the Scoping Inquiry is a harrowing document, containing some of the most appalling accounts of sexual abuse. The scale and horror of what people described in their interviews with the Scoping Inquiry is shocking, and the lasting impact on the lives of those survivors cannot be overstated. I have been deeply moved by the courage, fortitude and openness of all those who have shared their experiences.
“I am thinking of all those who came forward today as part of the Scoping Inquiry process and indeed those who are not in a position to do so at this point in their lives. I wish to remember and acknowledge in particular the late Mark Ryan, who, with his brother David, was instrumental in the establishment of the Scoping Inquiry. He is very much in our hearts today, and I am mindful that the first anniversary of his passing is approaching in the coming weeks.
“I am announcing today that the government has accepted the principal recommendation of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry, which is for the establishment of a Commission of Investigation. Historical sexual abuse is a profoundly serious matter and needs to be examined in detail.
“One of the most compelling aspects of the Report is that older participants provided devastating accounts of how sexual abuse in childhood has affected their entire lives, from their schooldays through adolescence, early adulthood and right through to later years.
“I am pleased to note that the report states that current child protection measures in schools are robust and effective and I am conscious that the safety of children today is a matter of paramount concern to survivors and all of society.”
The Scoping Inquiry report further recommends that consideration be given by Government to establishing a redress scheme for survivors of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.
Further recommendations relate to improving the experience for survivors in legal processes and the establishment of dedicated support services for survivors, particularly in relation to the Commission and potential participation in that process.
The Scoping Inquiry commissioned independent expert reports on child protection in our schools and restorative justice as part of its work.
Minister Foley said:
“I also want to acknowledge that there are many other people whose work and advocacy have brought us to this important moment, and to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this process in any way, whether through their own participation or their support for a family member or friend. I also want to thank the Scoping Inquiry team, the Lead, Mary O’Toole, and the survivor engagement lead, Kieran McGrath for their diligent work in producing what is a very detailed and thorough report.”
As already referred to, the report of the Scoping Inquiry is being sent first to survivors. Information on supports available will be sent to survivors with the report and is also available on the Scoping Inquiry’s website. Details on supports for schools and their staff and students, will be made available to the schools’ management bodies to enable them to provide any necessary support to schools.
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry, information on support is available below. Further information on support is available at on the Scoping Inquiry’s website.
Support
The organisation One in Four provides services to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. One in Four can be contacted by calling 01 662 4070 or by completing the form at www.oneinfour.ie/contact.
If you wish to report an allegation of sexual abuse you can contact your local Garda station, the Garda Sexual Crime Management Unit (01-6663430) or the Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line (1800 555 222), which is a confidential and free service available on a 24/7 basis. Alternatively, you can email GNPSB_SCMU@garda.ie
Notes
Survivor engagement process
The first stage of the process saw 205 people complete initial questionnaires regarding their experiences, of which some fell outside the terms of reference for the Scoping Inquiry.
Of these, 182 survivors were invited to participate in the second stage where they had the option of completing an interview with a trauma-informed facilitator or a written submission.
The views of 149 survivors were gathered in the second stage and have informed the recommendations of the Scoping Inquiry.
The Report contains a section which reflects the information provided in contributions from those whose experiences did not fall within the terms of reference for the Scoping Inquiry.
Establishment of a Commission of Investigation
Most of those who participated in the Survivor Engagement process called for a statutory investigation, and the establishment of a Commission of Investigation is the principal recommendation of the Scoping Inquiry. The Report explains in detail how it has considered the overarching principles and wishes of survivors alongside the requirements and processes in various forms of inquiry, and it has concluded that a Commission of Investigation would be the most appropriate response.
Survivors were clear in their wish to ensure that any process can compel witnesses and documents and has the option of giving evidence in private for those survivors who do not wish to speak publicly about what has happened to them.
Survivors felt that highly adversarial processes are not appropriate for examining the issue of sexual abuse, and a Commission of Investigation has flexibility to limit the potential for re-traumatisation for those who give evidence to it.
The Report also recommends a Survivor Engagement Programme to run under the auspices of the Commission to allow a wide range of survivors the opportunity to tell their stories in a non-adversarial environment.