Survivors group says redress system for victims of sexual abuse should be 'non-adversarial'

Vivienne Clarke

Survivors’ group Restore Together is hopeful that a “non-adversarial” redress system can be established through which survivors do not have to go to court.

“It’s the unknown that’s difficult” Corry McMahon, a member of the group, told RTÉ radio’s News at One ahead of the publication this evening of a report into sexual abuse in boarding and day schools run by Catholic religious institutions.

“It’s awful that it is minimised into ‘I was abused’, it should be far deeper. It is so much more life changing than that single word of abuse.”

The group wants victims’ voices “front and centre at all times. "And that our voices don't get lost behind an inquiry. I've noticed somewhere along the line that a redress scheme would be formulated after the inquiry. But the inquiry could go on for years. And there are people that need help now.

“It's been going on for years but has been really highlighted in the last four years. I've spoken to so many people, men and women who their main question really is what do we do next?

“Most of the perpetrators or the abusers are dead. A large number of men and women and families are still alive and are looking for some sort of award to be given to them. I don't like using the word compensation, but award, to acknowledge what happened to them. That would be front and centre.

"That the orders couldn't slip into the slipstream of the inquiry and get away for another four or five years, whatever it is. The voice of the victim is the most important thing from our perspective.”

The voice of the victim was “paramount” he said, which was why some form of redress system that did not require victims go to court and face barristers and judges, was needed. That the redress system not be adversarial.

“That's really what we'd be looking for.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.