“The extraordinary thing is, they remember it as if it was yesterday.”
Restorative justice practitioner, Tim Chapman, who is working with victims of historical child sex abuse at Willow Park School and Blackrock college, has met with 19 survivors since last September.
Up to 300 people are alleging abuse at the hands of priests in Spiritan-run schools, with more men expected to come forward.
How can the Spiritans abuse survivors get justice?
When the RTE Documentary Blackrock Boys aired nearly two weeks ago, it sent shockwaves through the country. Detailing sexual abuse at the Dublin school, it has prompted even more abuse survivors to come forward with allegations against the Spiritan priests. With most of the alleged perpetrators now dead, attention is turning to how victims can get answers, justice, closure and healing. Religious Affairs Correspondent Patsy McGarry reports.
With most of the alleged perpetrators now dead, attention is turning to how victims can get answers, justice, closure and healing.
The Taoiseach has said the state would give consideration to the “most effective way to have a victim-led approach”, as previous public inquiries didn’t always have the desired effect.
Religious Affairs Correspondent, Patsy McGarry, speaks to In the News about the latest revelations; how a loyalty to the ‘Blackrock brand’ had a chilling effect on survivors speaking out until now, and how the cover-up is consistent with efforts by other Catholic congregations to put their institutions before the welfare of the child.
Presented by Conor Pope.
