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Chapter 13 — Special needs schools and residential services

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Current circumstances

128

The table below lists the negative effects described by the 49 witnesses, 32 male and 17 female, who reported abuse in special needs services and also gave an account of their adult life circumstances.
Male witnesses Female witnesses
Effects on adult life* Number of reports Effects on adult life* Number of reports
Counselling required 17 Counselling required 14
Abuse not easily forgotten 12 Abuse not easily forgotten 12
Lack of trust 12 Feeling isolated 9
Suicidal feelings or attempt 12 Lack of trust 9
Alcohol abuse 11 Anxious and fearful 8
Feeling isolated 11 Post-traumatic effect 8
Angry 10 Tearfulness 7
Loner 9 Loner 7
Sleep disturbance 9 Mood instability 7
Gender identity and sexual problems 8 Feeling different from peers 5
Lack of self-worth 8 Feelings related to being a victim 5
Anxious and fearful 7 Suicidal feelings or attempt 5
Nightmares 7 Alcohol abuse 4
Tearfulness 6 Angry 4
Feeling different from peers 6 Issues of needing approval 4
Mood instability 6 Sleep disturbance including nightmares 4
Feelings related to being a victim 5 Somatic symptoms 4
Withdrawal 5 Withdrawal 4
Aggressive behaviour – verbal 4 Aggressive behaviour – physical 3
Post-traumatic effect 4 Eating disorder 3
Unable to settle 4 Fear of failure 3
Issues of self-blame 3 Feelings related to being powerless 3
Feelings related to being powerless 2 Aggressive behaviour – verbal 2
Overly compliant behaviour 2 Issues of self-blame 2
Somatic symptoms 2 Overprotective of children 2
Unable to show feelings to children 2 Unable to show feelings to children 2
Unable to show feelings to partner 2 Aggressive behaviour – psychological 1
Aggressive behaviour – psychological 1 Over harsh with children 1
Find others with similar experiences 1 Sexual problems 1
Overprotective of children 1 Unable to settle 1
Substance abuse 1 Unable to show feelings to partner 1

129

Twenty one (21) of the 49 witnesses who provided information about their adult life circumstances described an ongoing sense of isolation and inability to trust others. Fourteen (14) of those witnesses reported life-long difficulties as a result of the sexual abuse they experienced, particularly in terms of their ability to trust people. Other witnesses reported that separation from their families in childhood has contributed to their sense of feeling isolated and different from others. For some witnesses the relationships with their brothers and sisters have never been properly restored, depriving them of practical and emotional support networks in their adult lives. No contact whatsoever ... (with siblings) ... I’ve tried, the only thing I can say is I’ve tried to get in contact with each and every one,... but they have their own...(difficulties).

130

In addition to feeling isolated, between 12 and 17 witnesses also described feeling angry, at times having suicidal thoughts and experiencing sleep disturbance. Fifteen (15) witnesses reported that they abused alcohol to the extent that it had a negative effect on their lives.

Footnotes
  1. The terms schools, services and facilities are used interchangeably throughout this chapter of the Report and signify the complex range of services provided.
  2. The principal sensory impairments referred to are those of sight and hearing.
  3. The categorisation is based on Census 2002, Volume 6 Occupations, Appendix 2, Definitions – Labour Force. In two-parent households the father’s occupation was recorded and in other instances the occupational status of the sole parent was recorded, in so far as it was known.
  4. Section 1 as amended by section 3 of the 2005 Act.
  5. Section 1(1)(a).
  6. Section 1(1)(b).
  7. Section 1(1)(c) as amended by section 3 of the 2005 Act.
  8. Section 1(1)(d) as amended by section 3 of the 2005 Act.