Have we learned any lessons after Grace?

The State has a unique opportunity to learn lessons from the ‘Grace’ abuse case and make sure every survivor’s voice is heard

The survivors we know are twice silenced; once through their abuse and the second time by a failure to recognise and support their communication as valid and meaningful. 

Last week the minister for education and youth Helen McEntee announced the establishment of a commission of investigation on “historical abuse” in schools. Broadly welcomed by survivor groups, the commission follows a scoping inquiry published in 2024 detailing 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse recorded across 308 schools run by religious orders up until the 1990s. 

The commission will examine the handling of allegations, suspicions, and concerns of sexual abuse in all schools, including primary and post-primary.