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THIS WEEK, a number of the victims groups representing the mother-and-baby homes as well as the Bethany Homes came together to finally have their voices heard. In the past number of weeks, we have seen headlines reverberate all over the world, leaving many people truly shocked at a time when people thought they could be shocked no more from the previous Magdalene, industrial schools and child abuse scandals.
It has been a long time coming for the victims, who have knocked on many doors over the years and were repeatedly ignored and denied even the merest level of acknowledgement, when other injustices were being addressed. For the victims, this is a bittersweet time. Alongside the joy that they are finally being believed for the injustices they experienced, this is also an extremely emotional and challenging time for them as every detail of the abuses in the mother-and-baby homes and Bethany Homes becomes public knowledge and is discussed and debated in every household in the country. What we must remember is the voice of the victims, they must not be lost in all of this, particularly in relation to the inquiry which is being set up to investigate the abuses.
In defining the form and scope of the inquiry, it is first essential that full independence is ensured in order that the victims can have full confidence in the ultimate findings of any inquiry. Linked to this, we have called for the appointment of an international judge to head up the inquiry, and for victims groups to be consulted in the appointment of the chairperson and other members of the inquiry commission. Additionally, the victims groups have also called for the vital need to consult with them in relation to defining the terms of reference and scope of the inquiry.
Of particular concern is the risk that some of the homes will be left out of the investigation and, for this reason, the groups have called on a fully inclusive inquiry where all victims of state institutions will be included in this, including not only the mother-and-baby homes and Bethany Home, but additionally including county homes, church of Ireland Magdalene home, Westbank and Ovaca House in Wicklow alongside the inclusion of the Magdalene homes. It would be a profound injustice not to include all the victims, which previous inquiries have done and which has represented a double injustice to the victims. The coming together of both the Catholic mother-and-baby homes and the Protestant Bethany homes on this issue, demonstrates the united view that everyone has, that there should no longer be any cherry-picking of some injustices over another.
Another aspect which is important for the victims, due to the elderly nature of many of the victims, is the urgent need for a speedy inquiry which will fast-track the redress. The victims believe that a modular scheme would be the best solution to implementing an inquiry, in which various areas of the abuse would be considered separately, such as the vaccine trials, high mortality rates, illegal and forced adoptions and the issue of mass graves.
Another important aspect of the abuses, which has not received as much attention in the media, is the abuse and degrading treatment experiencing by the women themselves within the institutions. This must also be addressed.
Notwithstanding the inquiry which will be taking place over an extended period, there are immediate mechanisms which can be put in place at this stage. In particular, the groups are calling for memorial stones to be erected at all of the mass grave angel plots and for the names of all of the deceased babies to be placed there. It is of vital importance for the victims that a name must be given to each and every victim. Other immediate actions which should be implemented include a helpline and counselling service which should be available to the victim’s currently experiencing severe trauma at this time. Additionally, we believe that a full State apology is required at this stage by the Government, with a fuller apology once the inquiry is concluded.
Regardless of the outcome of the inquiry, the victims groups will still be presenting our report against the Irish Government to the UN Torture Committee, whilst we acknowledge that the Government has finally bowed down to public pressure in recent weeks, it is still important to raise at the international level the violations that have led to the failures of successive governments to acknowledge and address the abuses which took place within these institutions. Linked to this, it is important that the UN will be in a position to scrutinise the inquiry in its examination of Ireland in 2015 and ensure that proper redress is provided to the victims.
However, in all of this, the voice of the victims must be heard. Mary Lou McDonald summed it up well during the Sinn Fein Private Member’s motion on Wednesday night, saying it was not the babies who were illegitimate, but it was the State, Church and indeed society which was illegitimate.
After everything that the victims have been through from the initial abuse, to the denial of what happened to them for so long, the very least that society can do for them now, is to ensure that they are finally listened to.
Mairead Healy is the legal advisor for the Coalition of Mother and Baby Homes and Bethany Groups.
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Just wondering when those same offended people will get those diet coke ads banned, it’s ok to sexually objectify men? Well ok then.
I’m not offended by it but aren’t those diet coke ads gone years? Have they not been replaced by puppets for yonks now? And besides men keep harping back to that one single ad when women are bombarded with half naked ladies in the media all the time….again though, I’m not offended at all, just, eh, I dunno, saying I suppose.
To be fair, there is one Diet Coke ad, while there are thousands of companies using scantily clad women to sell their products. Men have a long way to go before they are objectified as much as women in advertising.
I think that long march towards objectification is over there Mike, this is a recent abacrombie ad:
http://cdn01.cdn.socialitelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/28/abercrombe-fitch-ad-03282012-01.jpg
There were no women in the ad, this was pure objectification of the male form.
I’m women are willing to be objectified and are comfortable with it then what’s the problem?
If a grown woman wants to be apart of a campaign like this then more power to her. Why can’t women on an individual basis decide for themselves if they want to take part in such campaigns.
It seems the jealous feminists wouldn’t like this too much.
Any more links like that Ryan? Purely for research reasons of course…ahem…
I’m gonna go ahead and say something controversial that might get people yelling at me…..but this is part of a wider trend, I think, where certain people want women (And this , oddly, includes some women) to be ashamed of their sexuality.
Women today live in mortal fear of the s word, and guys apply it and terms like it far too liberally (idiot str8 guys not realizing that by having tthat attitude they are reducing their own chances of getting laid). So they’re forced to say things, after one night stands like ”God I was hammered, I don’t usually do this” and the guy has to knowledge that in a way of ”yeh you don’t seem like that type” …so what if she wants to have the one night stand, so what if she wants to have 10? The guy can…and he’s a ”legend” if he does. Don’t give me the old key and lock story cos it’s nonsense, and sure guys are more programmed to be promiscuous, more so than women, but that does not mean women can’t have a sex drive.
This is part of the same attitude problem, if a woman shows any sexuality or uses her sexuality in any way she should be ashamed, she’s undermining other women , she’s being easy and too open, she’s letting down women who don’t have that figure etc
I say this as someone who has faced death recently and may yet fall to it, lifes hard, life can be really s__t, you have to make the good things, the bad things will show up on their own, so don’t go intentionally denying yourself good things because of fear of what other people are gonna think, f__k um, anyone casting that much judgement isn’t gonna be a bundle of contentment themselves so why listen to them.
Women should be able to use their sexuality without anyone hurling abuse at them, casting judgement at them, or projecting value judgements into the situation that are not there (like the presumption implied that if you don’t have that figure you’re less of a woman, nobody said that, so don’t insert it into the picture)
Ok so…roll on the abuse…
Ryan you aren’t wrong exactly. In advertising though it’s the advertisers that make money off women’s bodies. The models just need to make money and they go to whatever’s available for them. If the models were self employed it would be a case of them choosing to portray their own sexuality or whatever. It’s just a little unfortunate that roles available for women are little bit limiting.
I don’t think that’s controversial, I 100% agree with you. Everything you said. I don’t understand what the problem is with a little objectification anyway we’re not robots, we are literally made for sex, it’s instinct and not something to be ashamed of. I was only pointing out a small case of hypocrisy above, surely I can be allowed to notice hypocrisy without being reduced to a slutshaming feminist? My point, as badly as it seems to have been made, is that while there is some, there is not as many ads with attractive men in them and i for one would like to see more! The female of the species definitely dominate the sex-sells marketing.
Wow I really split people right down the middle with that…sorry but I just don’t think this ”objectification” thing means anything, it’s like the ”ethos” thing with religious schools, it’s a word with no meaning behind it, an empty buzz word people are using to fuel an agenda, in this case a shame-filled agenda.
I think those of you trying to shame women into not doing this kind of stuff are doing far more damage than the ad itself. There the issue of body image disorders but that’s more a psychological problem than a sociological problem. Most of the time those issues have their roots in the individuals self confidence issues and the body image problem is just how it manifested itself.
@Joanna anyone I know working as models are very well compensated for their job and the ones that go on the store openings get great holidays in nice hotels out of it as well, for the girls and the guys it’s an enjoyable fun excursion, they don’t feel objectified.
They’ve issues with how their image is used sometimes, like the women get very angry if they see it’s been airbrushed but that’s a different complaint IMO cos that’s projecting something out there not based in reality
Hi Amy – just to let you know i am made for sex too.
By splitting people down the middle Ryan did you mean Joanna and Amy -the two who posted after you?
@Ryan that’s fine, really. And I’m not shaming anyone for their choices or whatever. But portrayal of women, particularly male dominated areas like driving, is limited and some people are getting a little tired of it. That’s all.
I agree with you on gender caricatures, big time. It’s why I bought my niece a ‘President Barbie’ doll, because I want her to have horizons bigger than the cookie cutter role society says she has to fit, you can be a nurse guys are doctors etc no you can be either one they’re both important jobs.
One of the things that used to really make my blood boil were sexuality caricatures, every gay guy on TV was a screaming limp-wristed queen who hated sports and hung out with a pack of women it used to really annoy me, even today I get this confused hesitation ”really…you don’t look …” yes..yes…I know..
TV shows have started to correct that now and they show a more balanced perspective but there is still a long way to go, women in media still have a long way to go on that score.
It’s the shaming of female sexuality that bothers me, we get outraged in Ireland if we see a woman in a burqua but we put women in a social version of it in many respects here still, we keep patting ourselves on the back for how liberal we’ve become as a society but how far have we really come? Were still very repressed. How many out gay/bi rugby players do we have about university level? I don’t know of a single one, the same in other sports. Irish society still has a long way to go to learn to stop casting judgement.
Jeez guys lighten up; I don’t find the diet coke or Abercrombie ads offensive and I don’t think any man should. If a man find those ads offensive then maybe it says more about his self-esteem and confidence than anything else. My advice is to spend more time working on your self-esteem and confidence that trawling the media looking to be offended. Trust me it works and you’ll be happier.
I trust you Blueskythinking.
I love the diet coke ads.
If anyone from marketing in diet coke is reading this. I would really like the next ad to feature a soldier. I do have a thing for men in military combat uniform.
All this talk of hot male bodies is getting me sidetracked. What I was I here to moan about?
I trust you too Sergeant Yates…will you have my babies?
@Ryan
Wow you found one other ad! Compared to thousands for women…
I love the Uber ads.
If anyone from marketing in Uber is reading this. I would really like the next ad to feature a Secretary. I do have a thing for women behind a desk.
All this talk of hot female bodies is getting me sidetracked. What I was I here to moan about?
@Blueskythinking – sure why not… you are a girl right?
Read my comment above, and then read the comment left by Lily a little bit further up. Look at the contrast in red/green thumbs………says it all really, about how much you an really say about males/females.
Awkward Sergeant Yates…I thought you were a girl…this isn’t going to do my self esteem & confidence any good!
Aww poor Shane.
I can don a pair of glasses tie my hair in a bun, wear a short skirt and open my white see through blouse so my breasts will be visible along with my black silk bra . I can wear a pair of stockings and red stiletto heals and sit behind a desk for you.
I would then bend you over the desk, take out my ruler and slap your arse for making fun of my comment.
Bad bad secretary. ..
Should I keep on my beret Lily?
Please xx
As long as your shirt is off.
Unzip your combats, but keep them on. ;)
On the desk is just fine…
You sound just like my drill sergeant.
Boots?
On.
Xx
Jeez its getting hot in here.
Does your boss know what you get up to when you stay back “to catch up on some work”?
You lost lily Shane. You needed to go in for the kill. Now she’s probably getting diggity with the guy who delivers the diet coke to the machine. Norm is his name.
No, it’s not a reflection on the sexes, it’s a reflection on a failed attempt at humour!
Norm! The b@stard…
Well Amey, hope ypu enjoy this advert for waders!! Lol. http://www.moldychum.com/home-old/2010/6/11/friday-pin-up-equal-opportunity-edition.html?currentPage=2
Picture a reversal of the Take Me Out tv show, with one girl in the centre and 15 guys turning their lights out, refusing to date her because they don’t like her shoes or hair, etc.
There would be hell to pay
Objectify me goddammit!
Question: why is goddammit allowed to be used when we have perfectly legimate blasphemy laws in place to stop this kind of talk. I’m going to make a complaint. I would like to sue the person who allowed me to say g******t. Terrible carry on.
Jesus christ i’m really splitting people down the middle on this whole blasphemy thing.. i think its important we respect each others beliefs #peace
Please, please tell me you don’t actually watch that show John!
Funny that Diet Coke is the only one you can think of, isn’t it? Yes I hate those diet coke ads. No, it’s not equivalent in this situation.
What about all the ads that depict men as bumbling fools incapable of loading the diswasher/looking after the kids/making dinner/mowing the lawn without the help of their better halves?
Men are depicted as either apes or children in the majority of advertisements these days.
And don’t lie, you loved the Diet Coke ad.
Double standards between Barbie and He-man
If you want an example of how guys sex appeal is used in marketing all you have to do is take a look at a Hollister or A&F store opening. If it’s in the summer the guys are in above knee shorts, flip flops and shirtless with the shorts about as low down their V as it’s possible to get without the shorts coming off. Even when the stores are open there is often a guy standing RIGHT BESIDE the girl greeter and generally the guy is showing far more skin than the girl.
I suppose none of the girls screaming and taking shots with their iphones at those store openings are just ecstatic because they think the shorts are a great fashion statement? and it’s nothing to do with the nearly naked ripped guys?
This kind of thing is pure faux controversy. Marketing exploits everyone equally these days.
It’s not just a one shot example either, the coke ad, think about the charity rugby calenders that come out every year, think about how many male soap stars are chosen for their looks rather than acting ability, think about how many totally unnecessary shirtless scenes are in those soaps…even a guy with a great body does not have his top off that much, they’re not idiots, they’re not doing it for nothing, they’re doing it because female (and some male) viewers wanna see it.
Look at Spartacus, all the women (and once more some guys) watching that for it’s historical accuracy? You think those Orgy scenes were there for kicks?
What was the ratio of naked or half naked guys to naked women in that show ? 100:1? at least!
Guilty your honour…
It’s almost as if the media is pitting men and women against each other. In ads geared towards men, the women are sexy things. In ads geared towards women, the men are morons. It’s an incredibly insidious pattern that implies that men and women can’t treat each other like people.
Its almost as if marketing companies want you discussing their ads on comment forums aiming their ads at people on comment forms – commenting. All the ads are aimed at humans.. and some will like some won’t some objectify some don’t – but sure as long as we’re discussing it.. brand brand brand. Derp derp derp derpity derp.
Joanna there is a real issue, gender caricatures are a real issue, airbrushing people so they look like something no healthy human being should look like is a real issue, body image disorders are a real issue but Objectification is a vague nonissue imo
It’s not even really as black and white as men and women being pitched against each other. Take the Hollister example, people assume the half naked guys are aimed at the women customers…and they are to an extent, but they’re also aimed at the male customers, if you wanna be associated with this slick brand that screams sex appeal then buy our stuff, if you have this body type we make stuff designed to accentuate that body type to make you look your best. The branding strategy there is mixed it’s not just gender v gender it’s more complicated.
The argument that it’s women only being used for sex appeal was definitely valid up until about the early 2000s but I think now it’s a dated complaint. When I started working out in school and doign what today they call ‘metrosexual’ grooming I was the only person in my year who was doing this, 2-3 years later and it’s a full blown fad to be ripped and spit polished rather than the old skool hairy and mean male. Once that metro trend took off then they started using guys as sex appeal for marketing all the time and that’s starting to put this argument to bed.
You’d wanna be hard up not to love them models….
have your say