IRE - Apologies are inadequate for Magdalene victims
The response by the Irish government to the horrific stain on history that is the Magdalene Laundries is woefully inadequate. A mere apology cannot undo the painful abuse that these women for forced to suffer, and does nothing to help these women along their healing process.
Apologies are cheap and easy, and provide little beyond short-term comfort. They do not, however, provide the very real and sorely needed counseling and medical and financial help these deeply wounded women need and deserve.
The report issued by Dr. Martin McAleese shows that these women were detained under false pretenses and slandered with accusations of false crimes. They were exploited as free labor, and were abused daily. Such inhumane treatment would no doubt require years of expensive therapy and has surely impacted - and still impacts - the daily lives of these wounded women.
Given how damning this report is, real steps to help the victims of the Magdalene Laundries should be taken immediately. As a first step, funds should be set up for those who were hurt so that they can pay for therapy and health care. Secondly, efforts should be made to reach out to every woman that was forced to live at these laundries and make them aware of victim’s advocates groups where they can get help. They also should point them in the direction of support groups where they can connect with other survivors and help each other heal.
We hope that the Irish government goes beyond the bare minimum step that they took today. For the sake of these thousands of victims, we hope they take better steps quickly.
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director