Restore Together "advocates" on Spiritian Sexual abuse.

By "advocating" on behalf of victims/survivors, the issue of Spiritian sexual abuse can be highlighted in the public domain. This creates awareness for victims/survivors and the broader community so a trauma informed, victim centered approach to healing can be delivered.

Restore Together is a voluntary advocacy and support group

Restore Together is a voluntary advocacy and support group for victims/survivors of sexual abuse in Spiritan schools, Blackrock College, Willow Park School, Rockwell College, St. Mary's College, St. Michael's College & Templeogue College. It is made up of victim/survivors and non-victims. Together we advocate for the provision of structures to aid healing from trauma.

Restore Together commenced engagement with the Spiritan Order on 19/5/2021 and has continued to meet on a regular basis regarding the development and urgent implementation of a comprehensive Restorative Programme to help bring healing to those who suffered as children and continue to suffer as adults.

Restore Together’s objectives for all victim/survivors are:

TRUTH – JUSTICE – PEACE – RECONCILIATION – HEALING

• Child sex abuse is the greatest tragedy in the history of the Spiritan schools in Ireland.
• Child sex abuse in these schools is not an historic issue but a current one that still significantly affects people in their daily lives
• Victims/ survivors of non-recent child sex abuse urgently need help through the implementation of all six elements of the Restore Together's Restorative Programme to help them in their daily lives and before it is too late.

• There is a need for greater awareness and active support for Restore.
• Together's Restorative Programme from everyone in the Spiritan community (past & present). No Spiritan boy (now man) will be left behind. Please help us to spread the word and especially to people who may be suffering in silence.

Having identified in recent years that significant proportions of different year groups from Blackrock College had largely supressed experiences of having been abused while at school, Restore Together sought engagement with the Spiritian Order (formerly Holy Ghost Order) in early 2021. Following much discussion with the Spiritans, the Order agreed to support a victims/survivors approach to healing developed by Restore Together in order that victims/survivors be given an opportunity to deal with their abuse by members of the Spiritan order or their employees.

The comprehensive plan to healing presented by Restore Together was built with assistance from victims/survivors and trauma informed professionals. The plan, which is built on a Restorative Justice model of healing, is discussed under "What is the Approach to Healing ".