RELIGIOUS ORDERS SHOULD be compelled to appear at an inquiry into alleged decades of sex abuse in schools , according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns.
Her comments come as a scoping inquiry revealed almost 2,400 allegations of sexual abuse of children in schools run by religious orders. There were 844 alleged abusers in over 300 schools run by 42 religious orders across the country.
According to One in Four, a charity for survivors of child sex abuse, the figures are likely “just a fraction of the reality” of the situation.
There will be a Commission of Investigation established to look at the report and determine what redress should be put in place, if any.
Cairns said that previous abuse scandals show that the State “cannot rely on the moral obligations of religious orders to do the right thing – there needs to be a legal obligation”.
“At every turn, church bodies have had to be brought kicking and screaming to the negotiating table when it comes to contributing to redress schemes for survivors,” she said, citing the church’s unwillingness to pay out to survivors of mother and baby homes.
A number people who contributed to the scoping inquiry said they believed that a paedophile ring was operating in certain schools.
Some of the participants who gave testimony alleged that their school had multiple staff members involved in either carrying out or facilitating sexual abuse.
They described their suspicions that certain individuals in those schools were facilitating the abuse of children by other staff members.
In some cases, people said teachers and principals who were not involved in the abuse were aware that it was taking place.
Taoiseach Simon Harris welcomed the scoping report and described it as a “harrowing read”.
It is a shadow of our past that continues to loom large in so many lives, so many families, so many communities.
“It’s really important that we get the structure right and that the next steps are absolutely survivor centred.”
Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman also said the report was a difficult read.
He added: “The detail of sexual abuse of the exploitation of vulnerable young people, of students is just horrifying, and I think that’s why it’s so important that Minister Foley has made the decision, supported by government, to hold a commission of investigation.”
In a statement, AMRI, the representative body of the Leadership of Missionaries and Religious in Ireland, said it is “deeply sorry that they experienced abuse in religious-run schools”.
“We recognise that we can never know the depth of the pain and suffering survivors have endured and continue to endure.
“AMRI actively worked with those of its members who are involved in running schools to facilitate the fullest cooperation in this Inquiry. We will carefully examine the recommendations and respond accordingly.”
The group also said that religious orders “continue to provide access to safeguarding personnel to support victims and survivors”, as well as funded counselling services.
The Social Democrats, as well as the One in Four charity, are seeking the inclusion of all schools in the inquiry, not only religious ones.
“There’s no reason to say that the culture in other schools was any different. I think it would isolate segments of our community if we didn’t include those schools,” a charity representative said.
She added that the number of people who came forward for the scoping inquiry is likely “just a fraction of the reality” of the situation.
“This area is very underreported, especially in relation to men.”