Chapter 18 — Residential Laundries, Novitiates, Hostels and other settings

Sexual abuse

The Committee heard evidence from 10 witnesses of being sexually abused by 12 staff and others, including an older resident. Eleven (11) of the abusers were male, five of whom were identified by name. Others were identified by their reported position or status in relation to the institution, as outlined in the following table:

Position of reported physical abusers	Males	Females
Religious
- Authority figure	5	0
- Teacher	2	0
- External priest	1	0
Lay
- Resident Manager	1	0
Visiting professional	1	0
Co-resident	1	1
Total	11	1

Four (4) witnesses gave accounts of rape and violent assault by four named abusers, of whom three were religious Brothers, in addition to a visiting lay professional. Six (6) male religious in positions of authority, two of whom were priests, were reported by witnesses to have abused them by masturbation, fondling and voyeurism. The lay individuals reported by witnesses as perpetrators of rape were identified as a Resident Manager, and a visiting professional. Two (2) witness accounts were heard of sexual abuse by co-residents.

Neglect

Failure to care for the child which results, or could reasonably be expected to result, in serious impairment of the physical or mental health or development of the child or serious adverse effects on his or her behaviour or welfare.4 The witness reports refer to neglect of education, health, welfare and safety and the lack of protection from harm. Witnesses reported that these experiences had an impact on their physical and emotional health and welfare, both at the time and in later life.

The main areas of neglect reported by witnesses from these residential settings were lack of safety and protection from abuse, neglect of developmental and health needs, including neglect of education, inadequate supervision of everyday care, age inappropriate work, and lack of adequate food. Witnesses also said that there was a lack of preparation for transition to independent living following discharge.

Eight (8) witnesses, two male and six female, made reports of neglect in relation to seven institutions. One institution was the subject of two reports and the remaining six institutions were each the subject of single reports.

Five (5) witnesses reported that food was inadequate and insufficient, three of whom described being constantly hungry or ‘starving’. You got bread and dripping. You could not eat it, but it was left there and after 3 days of no food you’d eat it.

Three (3) witnesses stated that their health was neglected. One witness reported that when he was ill his requests for medical attention were ignored and he subsequently required emergency surgery. Two (2) female witnesses reported neglect of other aspects of their healthcare, including no treatment for injuries and burns.

Four (4) female witnesses reported that their education, social development and emotional well-being were neglected as they were constantly forced to work without pay for long hours, with limited time for education or recreation. The lack of safety, adequate food and a supportive educational environment was frequently commented by witnesses. The following witness accounts refer to areas of neglect already mentioned: They called it education, you learned Irish and religion, but none of us could pick it up. There you were, standing up by the wall and you’d get battered again. How could you learn? It was the house of horrors, everyone screaming at night, how can you learn? You were terrified, absolutely terrified. You were “a dope” and “a dunce” and ... (they said)... your mother was no good. ... Then you would go up to the convent and you would be washing their pots, scrubbing the floors. It was like manna there, ...(they had)... the best of everything, their food, ... and you would be starving. I got ...(ill).... I was locked in a room for 3 days. She ...(religious Sister)... would throw you food on the floor like you were a dog... • The first day I was shown the laundry and the next day I was put in it.... I did starching, I did priests’ cloaks, you know the long white things they wear? I did collars, you had to keep ironing them until they become real stiff. There was a little wooden thing you could stand on.... There was a little bit of relief that you got a night’s sleep ... but you knew it was wrong that I wasn’t going to school.

Two (2) male witness reports in relation to one institution described a bleak atmosphere where there was no daily routine. They commented that there was no structure, education or activity programme for residents who were generally unsupervised for long periods. They reported being abused by both staff and co-residents due to the lack of supervision by the Resident Manager.

Witnesses reported that the transition to independent living was difficult due to the isolation from the outside world and lack of preparation for discharge. Four (4) witnesses stated that they were provided with no life skills and no aftercare on leaving the residential institution. A number described being vulnerable to further abuse in circumstances where they had no support, they were confused and unsettled in work and in their accommodation. Witnesses also gave accounts of being neglected and abandoned in some instances by both their family and the institution.

Emotional abuse

Any other act or omission towards the child which results, or could reasonably be expected to result, in serious impairment of the physical or mental health or development of the child or serious adverse effects on his or her behaviour or welfare.5 This section describes witness evidence of abuse by emotional deprivation, exposure to constant fear and a lack of safety and protection. Emotional abuse refers to both actions and inactions by religious and lay staff who had responsibility for the care and safety of residents and was described as constant and pervasive. Witnesses believed this abuse contributed to difficulties in their social, emotional and physical functioning at the time and was identified by them as negatively affecting their psychological well-being at the time and in their later life.

The emotional abuse reported by 13 witnesses, four male and nine female, included deprivation of contact with a child and other family members, loss of personal identity, social isolation, constant fear, deprivation of liberty, public humiliation, loss of affection and secure relationships. The Committee heard evidence of verbal abuse including ridicule, public criticism and denigration.

Ten (10) institutions were the subject of 14 reports of emotional abuse by 13 witnesses, as follows: Three (3) institutions were collectively the subject of seven reports. Seven (7) institutions were each the subject of single reports.

Ten (10) witnesses, three male and seven female, reported that they were emotionally abused by being publicly humiliated and/or demeaned in the following manner: by removal of items of clothing in public signifying ‘disgrace’, having to make public confessions, and being ridiculed in public for bedwetting. ‘There would be a big placard stuck on your back “wet the bed” stuck on it, and there would be a placard out in the yard, a prison yard, and your name would be stuck on that.’

A witness reported that she was ridiculed and shamed for three days as a punishment for breaking crockery. Others described public ridicule for breaking the rule of silence. Another witness described having to make a public Confession each month in front of his peers as punishment for disrupting a class and a female witness gave the following account of her humiliation: Down in the laundry you slaved all day. Most of the day was strict silence.... ...Sr X... would sit on the throne and God help you if you broke your silence. She would report you to Mth ...Y... and you would have to stand when you went in for your food, your chair was taken away and you ate off the floor.... After 3 days you would have to kneel in front of Mth ...Y... and you would have to say these words, I will never forget them: “I beg almighty God’s pardon, Our Lady’s pardon. Pardon, my companions, pardon for the bad example I have shown”. I would then take a bow and ask her could I have my seat back.