Importantly, women and men who experienced the care system run by
religious orders are referred to as ‘Survivors’. After all, whilst these
individuals may have been victims of neglect, abuse and assault, they survived it, and deserve to be recognised for their resilience rather than what happened to them.
Women who had children outside of marriage, women accused of
being promiscuous or women who were victims of rape and sexual assault
were viewed by Irish Catholic leaders, politicians and society as
tainted by immorality. As part of their alleged ‘rehabilitation’,
the state outsourced institutional care to religious congregations who
claimed to put these ‘strayed’ women back onto the path of traditional,
Catholic morality. By doing so, the state abdicated its responsibility
and duty of care to vulnerable Irish citizens, many of whom were victims
of severe crimes and abuse.