CW: abuse, mishandled abuse cases, CSA
Sinn Féin (SF) clearly has real questions to answer regarding its safeguarding approach. Responsibility has not been fully accepted by SF in relation to the Michael McMonagle case even though the details are chilling. Not only were references provided to someone knowingly accused (now proven guilty) of child sexual abuse (CSA), but also his continued career progression and presence in the corridors of power did not seem to cause any concern to the leading SF members.
It is difficult to believe that none of them noted his presence and role, subsequent to his dismissal from SF. It does not seem credible that a former senior party member was in Stormont and Westminster at a high profile event in his new role, and it was unnoticed by SF MLAs and senior staff.
Furthermore, it’s disturbing and backward that Niall Ó Donnghaile would publicly receive flowery praise on his departure from the Seanad, given the damaging, abusive behaviour that triggered his departure, known by those giving the praise. Consideration for Ó Donnghaile’s mental health looms large in the thinking of SF leaders, but it appears not enough the mental health of the young person affected, or the other complainant who was not a minor, or now of the mental health of all survivors of abuse who are latterly hearing praise of someone who would engage in a disturbing abuse of power and abusive behaviour towards a teenager.
Cynical hypocrisy from establishment
SF still clearly has questions to answer. However, the cynical attempt at political point-scoring by Government and some opposition politicians on such serious issues as abuse, gender violence, and child protection is appalling. There seems to be no regard for how difficult it is for complainants to come forward, nor for their feelings in the midst of their cases being splashed across the media and used as a battering-ram against political opponents. All survivors are damaged when this is the discourse. It also could be a barrier to others to come forward with disclosures.
The Government does not have a strong record on these issues, as seen in the chronic underfunding of services that assist abuse victims; continued denigration of the trauma and suffering of so many survivors of Church / state abuse via the omission of many survivors from the current redress scheme; real slowness to address the continued victim-blaming and re-traumatisation that those pursuing sexual violence and gender violence cases often receive via the court system.
These parties have themselves selected and maintained representatives connected to acts of assault and gendered violence such as Senator Malcolm Byrne (FF), Senator John McGahon (FG) and of course the Ceann Comhairle who wrote a reference for a child abuser. The Green Party backed to the hilt Brian Leddin TD after it emerged that he was a participant in a misogynistic WhatsApp exchange. It is also unclear what the safeguarding policies and procedures in Government parties themselves are.
Gender violence epidemic
North and South, gender violence – violence against women, children and queer people, and macho violence in general – is a public health epidemic. In the North, there have been five femicides in just over six weeks. Part of the culture in which such violence is bred is rooted in how much abusers are in fact valued in society, and how often the hurt and trauma of their actions are dismissed or accepted, implicitly or explicitly.
A culture in which gender violence and abuse of children is widespread can only be challenged with the utmost sensitivity, with the raising up of voices and experiences of survivors, with all-round humility and a willingness to really challenge the prevailing culture that upholds patriarchal norms, and is rife with power imbalances. Both on an individual and cultural level we need to be extremely aware of this prevailing culture, and the need to challenge it in every way, by developing and continually reviewing procedures in every institution and organisation, to safeguard everyone, especially those most vulnerable to abuse.
The arrogance with which some politicians are point-scoring around the safeguarding concerns that have emerged vis a vis SF is potentially triggering for victims and survivors, and is the opposite of the tone and approach needed.
