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

Knowledge of abuse

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.

Two (2) male witnesses gave accounts of being raped in circumstances of disclosure. One witness described confiding in a religious Superior that he was sexually abused prior to entering the Novitiate, he reported that he was subsequently raped by this Brother. Another witness stated that he was sexually assaulted by a Resident Manager who was investigating a prior physical assault by another staff member: He ... (lay Resident Manager)... took me into another room and asked me what was going on ... (inquiring about physical assault by other staff).... I was roaring and crying. All of a sudden he slipped his hand down the back of me trousers ...witness described digital penetration.... He hurt me and after that I was bleeding. He hurt me he did, I didn’t know what was going on. It was the man in charge who done that....

A witness reported that she was not believed and no action was taken when she told an external professional that she was deprived of her freedom and age-appropriate socialisation in the institution.

Positive experiences

Fifteen (15) witnesses reported that aspects of their experiences in these out-of-home placements were positive, and they had some good memories of their time in institutional care. Five (5) witnesses reported that the general routine including educational, recreational and social activities was positive and enjoyable.

Two (2) witnesses reported that kind nuns supported them, provided occasional treats, and facilitated excursions outside the institutions. Two (2) male witnesses commented that, notwithstanding the sexual abuse they experienced, they also had positive encounters with their abusers. Other witnesses valued the opportunity for friendships with co-residents while in the institutions.

Many witnesses reported that visits from their parents and contact with family were valuable and sustained them while they were in the institutions. Others commented that any contact with the outside world was appreciated.

Four (4) witnesses reported that the institutions provided them with respite and protection from the physical or sexual abuse they had experienced prior to their admission while in the care of their families.

Current circumstances

The Act enabled the Committee to hear both evidence of child abuse and the continuing effects on those who suffered abuse. In the course of their hearings witnesses provided information about their social circumstances, relationships, and the enduring effects of their abusive experiences on their psychological, emotional and physical health. This section contains some unavoidable overlap with the details of 13 witnesses who also reported abuse in other institutions.

Ten (10) witnesses reported that they returned to their family home when they left the residential facility. A number of the witnesses described difficulties reintegrating with their family and left home within a short period. Four (4) of the 10 witnesses stated that they were sexually or physically abused by family members when they returned home.

Two (2) witnesses gave accounts of being placed in work situations by religious staff and seven others were transferred to Industrial or Reformatory Schools or residential laundries. Others described periods of homelessness and early involvement in criminal activity on leaving the institution.

Eighteen (18) witnesses reported having difficulties establishing stable adult relationships. They described particular difficulties in relation to trust, intimacy and safe partnerships that were free of violence. I used to be roaring and bawling after I married...it was the first bit of love I was ever shown in my life. I do try to be with people and get in contact with them, but something gets in the way, I can’t do it...

Many witnesses gave accounts of ambivalent, unstable and disrupted relationships characterised by conflict, abuse and unhappiness. Six (6) witnesses gave accounts of marital violence, three of whom reported having histories of criminal convictions. Eleven (11) witnesses reported that they were divorced or had separated from their original partner or spouse and a number of those witnesses were in new relationships at the time of their hearing. Five (5) witnesses reported a happy or stable marriage lasting many years, or a happy second partnership.

Nineteen (19) witnesses reported having children of their own. A number of witnesses commented that relationships with their children who were born later in the witnesses’ lives were less conflicted as they had achieved a greater degree of stability in their lives over the years. Many witnesses who reported having their own children described variable parenting relationships over different stages of their children’s development. I did the best with what I had, which wasn’t a whole lot ...I feel guilty and I will do till the day I die...It was partly my fault for the kids turning out that way, but I had no role model as a mother I knew no better.... She...(daughter)... blames me for everything that went wrong in her life, she says I was never there for her....The poor kids missed out on so much, I did not know how to hug or kiss or cuddle them...

Seven (7) witnesses described having difficulties, including being unable to show affection, being harsh, and at times abusive when their children were young. These difficulties were said to have contributed to the subsequent loss of contact with children. Four (4) witnesses reported that they were not involved in rearing their own children. Two (2) of these witnesses had children placed for adoption and two others had children who were reared in out-of-home care.