Breaking The Silence, Have Irish Women Received Justice?
The Operation of Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundry Services
Twentieth century Ireland, was a period in which young girls and women were continuously oppressed by institutional forms of power and in various sectors of society. The role of the Church and the State during this time directly impacted the lives of women, as they were controlled and experienced lifelong inequalities.
This was a hidden secret of Ireland's past, for such a long period of time. Until recent years, when the scandal surrounding the truth about Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries became clear, exposing the extreme ways in which thousands of young girls and women were mistreated in twentieth century Ireland. How and why were women mistreated, and have they received justice?
Mother and Baby Homes
The Mother and Baby Homes started operating in Ireland in the 1920's. They were places where "fallen women" would be sent to, including young girls and women who had fallen pregnant outside of marriage.
Young girls and women would be sent off to these institutions, by their parents or guardians, so that they could give birth to their babies and receive support into motherhood.
It was done in this way because during this time it was seen as extremely unacceptable for a woman to have a child outside of marriage. Therefore, being placed into one of these institutions, kept the mother and baby away from prying eyes of society.
It is believed that the last Mother and Baby Home closed in the year of 1990, and during this 70 year period at least 10,500 women and girls passed through these operating homes.
Magdalene Laundries
The Magdalene Laundries originally started operating in the late 18th century as training centres, providing young girls and women with a place of work. It is said that the last one closed in 1996.
In total there were 13 laundry institutions operating in Ireland. With at least 35,000 women entering one or more of the different convents during this period.
Troubled individuals, those with no parents, and mothers from Mother and Baby Homes, would be sent to work in a training centre, in order to work and gain necessary skills.
The work included a wide range of things including, washing and drying of laundry, sewing, mending and making items of clothing as well as, maintaining cleanliness of the laundries.
The Role of The Church
The church held a great deal of power over Irish society during the 20th century, and religion played an important part in people's lives. In particular, Roman Catholicism was a religion which was followed by a large proportion of Irish citizens.
The church was heavily involved in helping and supporting those in need, and therefore played an important role in setting up and taking charge of both the Mother and Baby Homes and Laundry centres.
As a result, the church was trusted by people and the parents of young girls and women allowed their daughters to be sent to these places. As, they believed they would be safe and get the support needed for a successful future.
The Role Of The State
The Irish government began to develop in the twentieth century, after the events of the Irish War of Independence. Although, during this time the church still had a significant level of power.
It has been said however, that the government and police guards knew what was ongoing within the convents and training centres but, they turned a blind eye to it. As in some instances, the state would fund certain girls to be sent to the training centres. Many girls also tried to escape and leave the convents, but they would be bought back by police officers.
How were the girls and women mistreated?
In recent years, several brave, strong women began sharing their stories on what they experienced whilst being in a Mother and Baby home or Magdalene laundry. Within the institutions young girls and women have explained how they endured extreme levels of mental, physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
This included:
- Being stripped of belongings on arrival, names, and identity.
- Immediately, being set to work.
- Girls and women reported working 6 full-day weeks for which they received no wages.
- Received no medication or help whilst giving birth or whilst suffering from illnesses.
- They were called 'sinners' by the sisters or nuns in charge, and if they made any mistakes or seen to misbehave they were punished.
- Example punishments included, being humiliated, having their heads shaved, being made to eat meals off the floor.
As well as this, in many cases in the Mother and Baby homes, girls and women had their babies removed from them and were not allowed to see them, as they were not seen as fit mothers. Therefore, many babies were put up for adoption and sent off to adoptive parents.
These traumatic experiences did not only impact the women's lives at the time, but also those who lived to survive from the levels of abuse, have reported life-long effects. Such as, living in shame and guilt, as they believed it was their own faults for what had happened to them. As well as, suffering from PTSD and recurring nightmares.
The Unravelling of The Scandal
This section of Irish history as mentioned was all kept a secret, up until recent years when the truth began to be revealed.
In 1975 skeletal remains were found, in the grounds of the previous Tuam laundry convent. This site was then investigated, and led to the finding of a mass grave.
These findings led to further investigations of other institutions, and many documents and records were discovered which also showed missing death records of thousands of women and children.
The truth behind the operating adoption scheme also came to light, as passport documents and files were found showing that thousands of babies had been sold to adoptive parents in other countries. All of which was covered up and made to look like 'donations' to the church.
Tuam Grave
Tuam Grave. Click to expand.
In 1975 skeletal remains were founded in the grounds of an old convent in Tuam, which sparked an investigation, and a mass grave was discovered, containing at least 800 children's bodies.
Tuam Records
Tuam Records. Click to expand.
The investigation into Tuam, also led to the findings of missing burial records, and death certificates. This meant that, some children who had died, could not be located.
Missing records
Missing records. Click to expand.
In some institutions women who had their babies removed, had no record of where their child had been sent to. As a result, many mothers and children have not reconnected or found one another.
Passport Records
Passport Records. Click to expand.
During this time, passport records were also found showing that children were sent to other countries, via the adoptive scheme. A location which a lot of children went to was America.
Passport Records
Passport Records. Click to expand.
A lot of children were also adopted by UK citizens, so many children were found to have moved to areas of the United Kingdom.
Tuam Grave
In 1975 skeletal remains were founded in the grounds of an old convent in Tuam, which sparked an investigation, and a mass grave was discovered, containing at least 800 children's bodies.
Tuam Records
The investigation into Tuam, also led to the findings of missing burial records, and death certificates. This meant that, some children who had died, could not be located.
Missing records
In some institutions women who had their babies removed, had no record of where their child had been sent to. As a result, many mothers and children have not reconnected or found one another.
Passport Records
During this time, passport records were also found showing that children were sent to other countries, via the adoptive scheme. A location which a lot of children went to was America.
Passport Records
A lot of children were also adopted by UK citizens, so many children were found to have moved to areas of the United Kingdom.
Reconciliation?
Since the truth started to come to light, more and more women who were impacted by these institutions, have started to speak out about their experiences.
In response to this, along with the ongoing investigations of certain institutions, the Redress Board was set up, so that women could fill in a form and be compensated for the time of which they spent in an institution.
Although, the whole process of gaining recognition and compensation was difficult as, certain convents were excluded from the scheme, not all of their time would be compensated for, and some women were turned away or not believed. This made several women come together and continue the fight for justice such as, the Magdalene Survivors Together group.
After campaigning for many years, eventually their stories were heard and the Irish government finally addressed this matter. The Prime Minister Enda Kenny issued an apology in 2013, to all those affected. This was a significant and emotional moment for everyone.
Overall, thousands of women and girls were exploited and oppressed in twentieth century Ireland and a significant part of this took place, because of operating institutions including, Mother and Baby homes and Magdalene laundries. These institutions destroyed the lives of thousands of women, and caused a large amount of suffering. As well as this, a high number of deaths occurred including those of children, with hundreds being born into the institutions, and taken away from their parents with no regard for their welfare. Many women suffered in silence, until recent years when they finally got a certain amount of justice and recognition, through receiving an apology. It is surprising that all of this was ongoing for such a long period of time and still so many members of society today are unaware of the truth and mass scale to this historical scandal of Ireland's past.
Hopefully this message has helped to shed some light on the truth, and upon this period of time in Ireland.
