by Máiría Cahill

Five years ago, I waived my lifetime right to anonymity in order to expose sexual abuse within a certain movement. When I did, calls to rape crisis centres increased, the issue was put centre stage and still, to this day, victims come forward to me to disclose that they too have been subjected to some of the most heinous acts. That isn’t unusual; experiences like mine, when put into the public domain, trigger others. I’m glad that other people came forward to get help or entered into the criminal justice system to report their abusers. I have worked ever since to ensure that when they do, that they are treated with the very best of care.

Recently, victims unconnected with my experiences have come forward one after the other, and taken the hard decision to talk to The Impartial Reporter about what happened to them at the hands of others who perpetrated horrific acts upon them. I know that will have been a torturous decision for them to do so. Week after week, we have read harrowing stories about how minds were fractured and innocence taken at the hands of others, some of whom are now dead.

To those victims I want to say this. You have taken the first step to healing in what has been an incredibly difficult journey for you all. I believe you.

I also know that some people reading these stories will be deeply affected, to the point where their own memories come flooding back. Some will have found it hard to sleep again. Some will have flashbacks, some will find it hard to cope. Others will feel compelled to speak. I hope all of you reach out to get help. That is the first step, and once you have support, you can take informed decisions about what you wish to do for yourself, to make your life a bit easier to live. Abuse thrives on secrecy. There is nothing to be gained by living your life in the shadow of silence. I know from my own experience that life can and does get better.

I am also acutely aware that perpetrators of abuse will be reading these articles, in full knowledge that they have spent a good part of their life committing crimes against people smaller than them. Children who you have spent a considerable amount of time grooming, and then controlling, through abuse of your trust, or power, or physical strength. You may dismiss it to minimise the harm that you have caused, but some of you also will be struggling with the reasons why, with feelings of self-loathing. All of you need help in order to stop reoffending, and now is the time to come forward and unburden yourself. If you don’t, you will spend the rest of your lives waiting for a knock at the door, on one of those who you harmed coming forward to name you, on someone else who knows what you have done reporting to the police. It isn’t a question of if, but when, and that can’t be pleasant for anyone, least of all someone who has not only caused terrible secrets to be locked inside others for decades, but who carries terrible secrets of their own.

Some victims have spoken, and I have no doubt that others will do so. They should be treated with care when they do. I welcome the fact that the PSNI are taking this matter seriously at the highest levels and I hope they follow through on providing proper resources so that those victims who have yet to come forward to report their abuse can confidently do so, and that those who feel they have been let down in the past are provided with a proper review.

When a person is abused, the primary effect is on the victim, but the nature of this crime is to create ripples of harm among family members, and the wider community. Some public representatives in Fermanagh appear to have been reluctant to comment on this issue for whatever reason. And, if they won’t stand with the victims, what is the point in having a public voice if you don’t use to shine a light into the darkest corners of society in order to protect the most vulnerable? Politics is supposed to help the weakest in society. Those with credibility will have already reached out to help. Those who serve only themselves will have put their heads in the sand in the hope that they are not called to, God forbid, provide a responsible voice. When we get to the stage that protecting people becomes more important than protecting votes, then we will really start to affect change for those who need it.

This newspaper, and its journalist Rodney Edwards has sensitively provided a space for people to speak about their experiences. We now owe it to them to ensure that the prospect of this happening again to another small child is as remote is as possible. That requires the Fermanagh community to stand with those brave enough to come forward. They deserve that, at the very least.

NEED HELP?

Nexus NI offers counselling and support. For further information visit www.nexusni.org or to make an appointment contact the Enniskillen office on 028 66 32 0046.