No safety net for disabled children in residential institutions in Ireland

Abstract

The voices of adults and children with disabilities who have experienced violence and abuse are slowly beginning to surface in the public domain. Segregated residential institutions run by religious congregations appear to be dangerous places for children with disabilities and perceived differences – according to the former residents, speaking and communicating to us today as adults in Ireland. A statutory Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in Ireland attracted important numbers of former residents – witnesses – who recounted appalling experiences of violence as children. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities contains articles concerning the prevention of cruelty, sexual assault, violence and acts of humiliation that may be useful for countries like Ireland which have been unable to ratify the Convention. The protection of children with disabilities requires legal reform in Ireland, statutory licensing, monitoring and inspection of the segregated centres where children with disabilities are living.

Keywords:

• disability
• violence
• abuse
• Ireland

Notes

1. Mr Sven Glor, a 21-year-old Swiss lorry driver, took a case to the European Court of Human Rights concerning the refusal of the Swiss army to allow him to do his military service on the grounds that he had diabetes and their subsequent sanctions against him for failing to serve. The judgement against Switzerland mentioned (paragraph 53) the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Affaire Glor c. Suisse – Requête no 13444/04 30 avril 2009).

2. Very extensive and precise detail of this is in the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Report Volume III.