Minister for Education Norma Foley has announced that a Commission of Investigation is to be established, following a recommendation in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry set up to examine historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.

The Scoping Inquiry has been told of some 2,395 allegations of historical sexual abuse, involving 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools across all parts of the country between the years 1927 to 2013. Most of these allegations have been reported from the records of some 42 religious orders who currently or previously ran schools in Ireland.

The establishment of a State inquiry into historical sexual abuse is one of a number of recommendations made by Senior Counsel, Mary O’Toole in her report to the Minister.

The Scoping Inquiry organised a Survivor Engagement process where those who had experienced sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders were invited to come forward and share their views regarding an appropriate State response.

Participants reported experiences of sexual abuse in primary, post-primary and special schools, both public and private, run by religious orders across the country.

The report of the Scoping Inquiry contains detailed accounts of sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault and is deeply distressing to read.

Minister Foley is making the full report of the independent Scoping Inquiry available to those who participated in the Scoping Inquiry’s Survivor Engagement process first, in line with her previous commitment to them and the sensitive and personal nature of its contents. It will subsequently be published online later today.

The Scoping Inquiry report further recommends that consideration be given by Government to establishing a redress scheme for survivors of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.

Further recommendations relate to improving the experience for survivors in legal processes and the establishment of dedicated support services for survivors, particularly in relation to the Commission and potential participation in that process.

The Scoping Inquiry commissioned independent expert reports on child protection in our schools and restorative justice as part of its work.

As already referred to, the report of the Scoping Inquiry is being sent first to survivors. Information on supports available will be sent to survivors with the report and is also available on the Scoping Inquiry’s website. Details on supports for schools and their staff and students, will be made available to the schools’ management bodies to enable them to provide any necessary support to schools.

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry, information on support is available below. Further information on support is available at on the Scoping Inquiry’s website.


Support

The organisation One in Four provides services to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. One in Four can be contacted by calling 01 662 4070 or by completing the form at www.oneinfour.ie/contact.

If you wish to report an allegation of sexual abuse you can contact your local Garda station, the Garda Sexual Crime Management Unit (01-6663430) or the Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line (1800 555 222), which is a confidential and free service available on a 24/7 basis. Alternatively, you can email GNPSB_SCMU@garda.ie

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