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	Sexual Abuse of Children Was Rife in Kilkenny Institutions, Report Reveals By Richie Mccarthy Kilkenny Advertiser May 22, 2009 http://www.advertiser.ie/kilkenny/article/12732 Failure of congregations, officials and Gardai allowed abusers to continue A damning report released on Tuesday by the Child Abuse Commission highlighted two Kilkenny institutions where it said sexual abuse of, and violence against children was rife. The report outlined how failures by the congregation, the Department of Education, and the Gardai were major factors in allowing abusers to continue their cruel practices. It revealed that particular cases in the city were confirmed by the Department of Education, yet still not referred to the Gardai. Despite the introduction of innovative childcare training and guidance guidelines by the Sisters of Mercy in KIlkenny, there were still ‘serious instances of sexual abuse’. The first local school dealt with was St Patrick’s Industrial School. The school was founded in 1879, and accommodated 186 boys up to the age of 10. A significant feature of this school was the very young ages of the children and the large group of them all being cared for by a small number of nuns. Due to them being so young young when they were there, witnesses tended to remember specific episodes rather than have overall memories of St Patrick’s. Some of these incidents pointed to a regime that was harsh and unpredictable with corporal punishment the usual response to misbehaviour. Three male complainants described incidents of sexual abuse and the significant factor in each account was the child’s inability to confide to the Sister who was caring for him. Men who were employed in the school appeared to have ready access to these small boys and there was no awareness of the risks posed by this. The Sisters of Charity were unique in that they sought out training and guidance in childcare and introduced innovations into their two schools in Kilkenny which was unusual at the time. In particular, they recognised the value of the group system which they introduced to St Joseph’s in the late 1940s. The second school, St Joseph’s, was founded in 1872 and catered for 130 children. In general this was considered to be a well run institution but was dogged at two separate periods in its history by serious instances of sexual abuse. The Congregation did not deal with these appropriately or with the children’s best interests in mind. In 1954, a handyman who had been employed in the school for the previous 30 years was discovered to have been grossly sexually abusing girls from as young as eight years old. An investigation which was conducted by the Department of Education, confirmed the abuse but the children concerned were offered no comfort and the perpetrator, although dismissed from the school, was not reported to the Gardai. The second period in which sexual abuse arose in St Joseph’s was during the 1970s when two care workers who were sexually abusing boys were dismissed. Both men went on to abuse again after leaving St Joseph’s and the failure of the Congregation to deal decisively with these men was a factor in this. More than 1,700 men and women gave evidence of the abuse they suffered as children in Irish institutions, with over half reporting sexual abuse. Accounts of abuse given in relation to 216 institutions are detailed in the report. The Commission has received thousands of complaints and listed problems in institutions right across the country. Two recomendations were made by the commission, to alleviate or otherwise address the effects of the abuse on those who suffered. The second is to prevent where possible and reduce the incidence of abuse of children in institutions and to protect children from such abuse. In addition to these recommendations the Commission proposes a memorial to be erected for victims of abuse in institutions as a permanent public acknowledgement of their experiences. The HSE National Counselling Service set up at the same time as the commission to inquire into Child Abuse provides professional counselling and psychotherapy services to help people to cope better with their life and relationships. It is a free service for any adult who has experienced the trauma of abuse or neglect in childhood. The unique service is specifically dedicated to adult survivors of childhood abuse of any type including neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Priority is given to adult survivors of abuse in institutions who represent a significant number of clients attending the National Counselling Service. Counselling is available at 60 locations throughout Ireland and can be accessed by phoning (1800) 235 234 for an appointment at a location of your choice.
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