In shelters beat women and mocked children
Ireland Prime Minister Mikal Martin apologized to all victims of shelters for unmarried mothers and their children. Also, the authorities reported on children's deaths, ill-treatment of women in labor and other crimes from 1922 to 1998.
"We must admit that this is part of our national history. And we must do everything possible for women and children with which such a cruel way to express them to our deep repentance, understanding and support, "Martin said during his speech in the House of Representatives of Ireland.
Catholic shelters existed in the country, where they sent all women who became pregnant and became mothers out of marriage. Among them were juvenile girls aged 12 years, as well as victims of rape, including family members, and women with impaired psyche. 80 percent of women were aged 18 to 29 years. Sometimes the women went to the shelter themselves, fearing condemnation from the family and neighbors, or their parents and relatives were given, and sometimes they simply had no place to go. They were called "sinners."
In 2014, a mass burial of 796 children was detected on the territory of one of the shelters in the chambers of the former tank for wastewater. Then the authorities of Ireland initiated an investigation that took years.
The investigation report was posted on January 12. It turned out that over the years of the existence of shelters in their walls, more than 9 thousand children died, which is 15 percent of the total number of children who were in the shelters.
The report says that women constantly humiliated and offended even during childbirth. "For many women, childbirth became traumatic experience," written in the document. They lived in the cold, they did not show any sympathy, and until 1973, many did not allow themselves to leave themselves a child. Even after 1973, women were not notified of their rights, and children were given to the foster families. Children separated with mothers - both in infancy, and in older age. In addition, the babies were extremely cruel.
In shelters, high infant mortality was noted. In the shelter, 75 percent of all children born in 1943 died during the first year of life. In the shelter of Bethany, 62 percent of babies born in the same year died.
"Each of you deserved the best," said the Prime Minister. "The state led you, mothers and children who were in these shelters," he admitted.
The government promised to provide mothers information about their adopted children.
