Thirteen Waterford schools named in 'shocking' abuse scoping inquiry

Thirteen Waterford schools run by religious orders have been named in the scoping inquiry report into historical sexual abuse.

Nationally, there are over 2,300 allegations of sexual assault at 308 schools.

The 13 Waterford schools were ran by five separate religious orders (seven by the Christian Brothers, three by the De La Salle Brothers, one by the Augustinians, one by the Cisterians, and one by the Ursuline community). 

Scoil Lorcain CBS primary school in Waterford city had the highest number of allegations with 20, all coming from one alleged abuser. Waterpark College CBS had the second highest number of allegations, with a total of 17 against five alleged abusers.

In total nationally, there are 2,395 allegations of historical sexual abuse between the years 1927 and 2013 in respect of 308 schools recorded by the religious orders that ran those schools.

These allegations are made in respect of 884 distinct alleged abusers. The religious orders’ records indicate that over half of the 884 persons accused of historical sexual abuse are known to be deceased.

The report 

On November 7, 2022, the RTÉ Documentary On One 'Blackrock Boys' was broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1, describing the accounts of two survivors of sexual abuse at Blackrock College, Dublin.

Following the broadcast many men came forward from this school and others, outlining similar experiences.

The Minister for Education, Norma Foley, TD, subsequently announced the establishment of a scoping inquiry to inform the government’s response to revelations of historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders.

The 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 landmark 700-page report, which was published on Tuesday, September 3, contains detailed accounts of sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault. It is deeply distressing to read.

The experiences given by survivors are prefaced with a content warning that says: “The accounts given by survivors of their experiences of sexual abuse in schools set out in this report are distressing and often harrowing to read.

“Reading these accounts of abuse may be extraordinarily difficult, particularly for those who have been abused or whose loved ones have been abused. It is no failing on any person’s part if they do not wish to do so.”

Scale of abuse 

Approximately 95% of the report’s participants were male.

A large majority of respondents reported that they experienced abuse aged 10 or under, however many participants described experiencing abuse in more than one age category.

Participants reported that in some cases, sexual abuse seemed to be integrated into the rituals of boarding school life. Participants also reported that they were in some way incapacitated to facilitate sexual abuse and a small number reported that drugs or other substances were used to render them unconscious.

Some reported that the person who sexually abused them had visited the family home, had tea with their parents and built a relationship with the family.

Many of the participants described corrosive feelings of guilt and shame at the time of the abuse, which they subsequently carried with them throughout their lives.

The majority said they were not able to tell anyone about the abuse they endured, either due to shame, thinking no one would believe them or not knowing how to tell.

The report says: “The vivid and harrowing descriptions of what participants said they experienced as children indicates the extent and nature of sexual abuse in some schools and suggests that a climate of fear prevailed in many cases." 

The lasting and cumulative effect of sexual abuse was detailed vividly by survivors and the effects of sexual abuse on childhood mental health was described by participants as devastating.

Participants described how, as children, they experienced stress, anxiety, depression and PTSD, with some relating how they were prescribed medication or hospitalised because of these conditions at very young ages.

Negative coping mechanisms, including the use of alcohol, drugs, disordered eating, and self-harm, were described, and some participants explained that they experienced suicidal ideation.

These impacts prolonged into adulthood for many of the participants.

‘Shocking’ results 

The report sets out what survivors want the government to do next to address the abuse.

The establishment of a state inquiry into historical sexual abuse is one of a number of recommendations made by the writer of the report, Senior Counsel, Mary O’Toole.

The report also 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.

Minister for Education Norma Foley announced that a Commission of Investigation is to be established.

Minister Foley said: “The Report of the Scoping Inquiry is a harrowing document, containing some of the most appalling accounts of sexual abuse.

“The scale and horror of what people described in their interviews with the Scoping Inquiry is shocking, and the lasting impact on the lives of those survivors cannot be overstated. 

"I have been deeply moved by the courage, fortitude and openness of all those who have shared their experiences."

“I am thinking of all those who came forward today as part of the Scoping Inquiry process and indeed those who are not in a position to do so at this point in their lives."