Survivors Demand Inclusion of Corporal Punishment in Abuse Inquiry

UPDATE: Survivors of abuse in the Irish education system are voicing outrage as the government excludes “barbaric” corporal punishment from a significant new inquiry into historical abuse in schools. This urgent demand comes just days after Minister for Education Helen McEntee announced the formation of a commission led by retired High Court judge Michael McGrath to investigate allegations of sexual abuse in Irish day and boarding schools.

The new commission, confirmed earlier this month, is set to focus solely on sexual abuse allegations, leaving many survivors and advocates feeling abandoned. They are calling for a comprehensive examination of the extreme physical violence that has scarred generations of children. The inquiry, which has a five-year time limit to complete its work, is scheduled to begin with a survey aimed at identifying the commission’s scope.

Survivors are expressing frustration that their painful experiences are being overlooked. One victim, a man in his 50s, stated, “It feels as if the Government has forgotten about our experiences.” He previously secured a conviction against a former Christian Brother and shared harrowing accounts of physical abuse in schools that occurred after 1982, the year when corporal punishment was banned in Ireland.

He recounted a chilling incident where a teacher violently smashed his arm onto a desk, saying, “Can you imagine the pain of that? My parents let me leave school after that.” His sentiments are echoed by others, who believe that the commission’s focus on sexual abuse is overshadowing the need to address the physical violence many endured.

Another survivor, recalling his time in school during the early 1990s, described the brutal treatment from a teacher who made students kneel on a sweeping brush for extended periods. “It was barbaric and degrading,” he asserted, emphasizing that such experiences should not be forgotten.

The inquiry has sparked significant debate, as the Scoping Inquiry revealed that many respondents felt the violence in schools “went beyond an acceptable level,” and that excessive disciplinary actions should be included in any future investigations. Survivors insist that the commission must address these historical abuses, particularly as many of them are intertwined with allegations of sexual abuse.

The commission is expected to launch a survivor engagement program, a step recommended by a previous inquiry to ensure that the language and content resonate with victims’ experiences. The Department of Education has been in communication with survivors, acknowledging their desire for a timely process as the commission tackles sexual abuse.

However, when questioned about the inclusion of corporal punishment in the inquiry, a spokesperson for the Department stated that they take child protection seriously and any reported concerns are forwarded to relevant authorities, including Tusla and An Garda Síochána. They emphasized that the Department has no statutory role in investigating historical abuse claims.

With the commission expected to finalize its setup by October 1, survivors are demanding action. They urge officials to acknowledge the full scope of abuse in the Irish educational system, which includes both sexual and physical violence. As the inquiry unfolds, the call for justice and recognition of these brutal experiences continues to grow stronger.

As this situation develops, it remains critical for the commission to address the multifaceted nature of abuse within schools, ensuring that all survivors are heard and validated. The emotional impacts of these injustices are profound, and the urgency for a comprehensive inquiry is paramount.