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

Emotional abuse

Both male and female witnesses commented on the difficulties they experienced when they were leaving the institutions. A male witness stated that there was ‘a label of shame’ attached to those leaving Novitiates and that the remaining residents were told that those who left had their ‘lives destructed’ and subsequently lived in poverty.

Nine (9) witnesses were constantly fearful in anticipation of episodes of further abuse. Three (3) male witnesses from one institution commented that they were vigilant in an environment of threat that was unpredictable and disorganised, where they felt trapped and powerless. It was a big ... (building) ....There was one big room with nothing in it at the time, there was nothing for the lads.. The ...lay authority figure... wielded the baton, he would say “tell me who done it or yous are all getting it”.... It was bleak, no pictures, no TV, nothing. He got me with a bunch of keys and he paralyzed me ...distressed... he got me there ...(demonstrated being punched)... with the bunch of keys.... I later got lashed, he beat me all over... (on the)...legs, back.

The fear of being sent to a more severe environment as punishment was a constant threat for a number of witnesses who had previously been transferred and for others who were aware such transfers were possible. It was clear you were there for the rest of your life. The problem was there was a fear hanging over you because if you went to a Sister to ask for a job outside you could get sent to a worse place. There was a worse place ... that was known about...

One witness also described having to care for babies, including a terminally ill infant, without support, supervision or training. She regarded these expectations as abusive.

Six (6) female witnesses who were placed in residential laundries reported that the loss of liberty, social isolation and the deprivation of identity had a traumatic impact on them. Friendships were discouraged or forbidden, communication was severely limited by the rule of silence and doors were constantly locked. Two (2) witnesses stated that restrictions on their liberty contributed to a feeling of being treated like a prisoner. They described their punishment for breaking the rule of silence as having their head shaved and being made to take meals separately from their peers. When I got there they... (religious staff)... took all your clothes off ...crying.... Cut all your hair off and bandaged you ... (breasts)... up so that you wouldn’t look like a girl, because your body was sin and belonged to the devil. • I was locked up in the...laundry, 6 years I was there. I was told I wasn’t capable of holding down a job. I was put in the middle of older and middle aged women, I cried for weeks and weeks on end, I was a nobody...I was 16.... I was locked away, working 6 days a week in the laundry and in the kitchen on Sunday.... I was never beaten there or name- called.... It was like a prison, the very same as a prison, I done nothing... (wrong)...

Two (2) female witnesses commented that when they were admitted to different institutions at 15 years of age they were ‘given’ a name and that their own name was no longer used. On the day of admission ... the nun said to me “from today on your name is ...X... (not own name)... don’t tell anyone where you came from or who you are”.

One witness reported that, having been observed talking with boys, she was not allowed out of the institution for two years except under supervision to attend healthcare appointments.

The lack of affection and opportunity for attachment was reported by six witnesses who commented on living a suppressed life without adequate and safe care, closeness or demonstration of affection. Witnesses reported feeling disconnected from their family and in some instances were forbidden to establish friendships with co-residents. The lack of positive regard or words of approval was frequently commented on.

Three (3) female witnesses reported that many of their older co-residents who had given birth were constantly denigrated. The ‘constant warning against men’ and the loss of opportunity for age-appropriate social development had a negative impact on their ability to establish relationships later.

Eight (8) witnesses reported being deprived of contact with their families or relatives. Four (4) male witnesses stated that when they were in Novitiates they were not allowed contact with their own family members. The deprivation extended to a restriction on mail and the exclusion of their parents from any involvement in decisions regarding their health, welfare or education. A witness commented that he was ‘firmly dissuaded from an ongoing relationship with my parents’. Another male witness commented that it was forbidden to have pens and paper and another remarked that contact with parents was referred to as ‘scandalous’. Others described the restrictions placed on communication: Your letters were read... (by religious staff)... going out and coming in....One time I wrote a letter ...(saying) ... “I have a very bad headache today” ... I got the letter back...(and was told by religious staff)... “don’t be bothering your mother”.... It was fierce unhappiness, you couldn’t tell anyone...The pressure not to leave was fierce heavy... • Once a month you would be made write a letter. They would be standing over you, everyone wrote the same, you couldn’t tell ... (what was happening).... You were in there and under them and that was it, your family wasn’t let near you....

A female witness reported that her child, who had been in the same institution with her as an infant was later placed in foster care. The witness stated that she was not consulted about the placement and that the arrangements were made without her consent or knowledge.

Knowledge of abuse

The pervasive and public nature of abuse in some institutions, the fact that it was on occasion administered by more than one person raised awareness among staff and residents. Witnesses believed that the structure of the work and the daily routine of some institutions were known to many, both internally and externally. Witnesses gave accounts of being verbally abused themselves in front of others and of observing others being humiliated, threatened and physically punished. Witnesses also gave accounts of disclosing the abuse they experienced both within and outside the institutions. The investigation and response to disclosures of abuse varied.

One witness reported that co-residents were aware of his abuse and intervened to stop a lay staff member physically assault him. Two (2) witnesses, who were abused by more than one person simultaneously, believed that the lay Resident Manager instigated staff and residents to abuse co-residents physically.

Nine (9) witnesses, three male and six female, reported that they disclosed the abuse both within and outside the institution. Three (3) female witnesses reported telling family members, others told co-residents. Two (2) female witnesses were punished by staff when they spoke about sexual and physical abuse. Another witness stated that she was believed and removed from the institution when she informed a family member of her abuse. A female witness reported that she was physically abused and threatened by a religious Sister in the presence of her mother as she attempted to talk about what happened to her: I said I will have to tell her ... (witness’s mother)... about me not getting educated, that’s when I got a few little thumps. She ... (religious Sister)... punched me into the stomach first, and stamped on my toes and said “don’t tell your mother you are not getting education, your night classes are starting soon”. I wanted to be able to read and write ... (Witness reported receiving no further education).... She says “if you say anything to your mother your life will be made unbearable”.... I was 10 ... (years old)....

Four (4) witnesses reported that their disclosures initially led to further punishment and thereafter in three instances it also led to some protective action. Two (2) witnesses were transferred and protected by religious staff members. In one instance the witness believed a report was made to external authorities.