Report suggests there is no support for victims, say religious

Religious groups are taken aback by the apostolic visitation recommendation that “the religious in Ireland consider developing a collaborative ministerial outreach to those suffering from the effects of abuse”.

Conference of Religious in Ireland director general Sr Marianne O’Connor said the recommendation did not seem to recognise the support provided to survivors. “For example, through Towards Healing, which is jointed funded, €20m has already been spent with another €10m pledged. It has already provided help to 5,000 survivors over the last 15 years with 29,000 counselling sessions alone last year.”

She accepted there was a need for even more support but added: “The way it [the recommendation] is framed, seems to indicate nothing is happening up to this point.”