FOR WHOM DO WE ADVOCATE?

• Restore Together "advocates" for those abused in ALL Spiritian Schools in Ireland. 
• We recognise that those impacted by abuse is a much bigger population than those abused. 
• We recognise the issue is was criminal, it has damaged lives, and continues to impact on victims/survivors.   

OUR ORIGINS

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, a Facebook page was set up to encourage a wider discussion. That page did not offer a victim centered solution for help, but it did coalesce a small group with common stories. Postings on the Facebook page led to a series of group online meetings which culminated in the drawing up of the six "Solutions" required to start addressing the abuse. The "Solutions" are discussed under "What is the Approach to Healing ".   

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, a Facebook page was set up to encourage a wider discussion. That page did not offer a victim centered solution for help, but it did coalesce a small group with common stories. Postings on the Facebook page led to a series of group online meetings which culminated in the drawing up of the six "Solutions" required to start addressing the abuse. The "Solutions" are discussed under "What is the Approach to Healing ".   

The only recourse to justice is for victims/survivors to take individual actions against the Spiritans. This is a very stressful process. It requires participating in an adversarial legal process over a protracted period of time. This approach is not in the interests of victims/survivors. It is retraumatising and does not lead to a restoration of what has been stolen in childhood. 

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 Restorative Justice team under Tim Chapman was set up to independently help mediate this process.

OUR OBJECTIVE

To reach out to those abused in Spiritan schools with a simple message.
You are not alone, what happened was not your fault and it was absolutely wrong. We believe you, and we now have a healing plan in place that can help you, if you would like to avail of the offer at no cost to you.   

OUR MODUS OPERANDI

We currently have a voluntary committee of 9 men and 1 woman who have also populated various sub committees as required. The committee is compromised of victim/survivors and others who have come aboard to assist. The Main Committee meet twice a month to report on progress and to plan the next actions.

We have the support of all the school's Past Pupil Unions. We utilise the Unions' communications channels to reach out to their members so classmates know help is available.   

We launched a website www.restoretogether.ie in November 2024 as a further means to reach out to victims/ survivors and those who wish to understand sexual abuse in Spiritan schools. The site functions as a depositary of our progress to date.   

Frequent points of contact are the Spiritans, their Advisors, the Restorative Justice team, the PPUs, the Government, the schools and more recently, the school boards.