Researcher probes Canadian links to abuse at Magdalene laundries

Purported safe havens for ‘fallen women’ were abused—including in in Canada.  They were called fallen women, and through much of the last two centuries they toiled in church-run Magdalene laundries as penance for often-petty crimes, “loose morals” or for having no place to go.
Former workers in several countries, including Canada, say they endured long days of enforced silent labour for little or no pay. Some say they were physically and sexually abused, and told over and over again that they were worthless sinners.

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/researcher-probes-canadian-links-to-abuse-at-magdalene-laundries/