Sage Advocacy has invited survivors of institutional abuse to make contact and engage with its information and advocacy support services.
People who spent time in religious-run, state-supported institutions are being encouraged to reach out to Sage Advocacy, which offers nationwide support to survivors seeking information and assistance.
Sage’s team of advocates supports survivors in accessing information about services they may be entitled to. The service is open to all survivors of institutional abuse, who can contact Sage by phone on 01 536 7330 or by email at info@sageadvocacy.ie.
Sage Advocacy CEO Bibiana Savin said that the service is available to survivors across the country and that there is no requirement to have previously received redress in order to access support. There are also no age restrictions.
“If you or any of your family or friends spent time in an institution such as an industrial or reformatory school, or Magdalene laundry, or a mother and baby home, or county home the team at Sage Advocacy is available for you. We can help you to access supports you may be entitled to.
“Sage Advocacy’s nationwide team of advocates will support those who need it. It could be with a financial issue, a difficulty relating to your housing, or something medical, to name but a few.
“The trauma which survivors experience is life enduring and, in many cases, is revisited in older age, where survivors experience difficulties in getting appropriate housing or medical care. The fear of being re-institutionalised in congregated care settings such as a nursing home is real for many survivors.
“The relationship between the person and their advocate is one-to-one. The advocate has no other interest than to promote, support and defend each person’s voice and rights and will only take action that has been consented to by the survivor.”
Sage Advocacy is the national advocacy service for older adults and survivors of institutional abuse. The service is free of charge and confidential, and operates independently of family members, service providers and system interests, whether church, state or institutional.
Supports for Survivors of Institutional Abuse Service Project Manager Damian O’Farrell said that each survivor who engages with the service brings different life experiences, many of which are deeply traumatic.
“The survivors coming to us all have different life experiences. Many of those experiences have been very traumatic. While it is difficult for people without that lived experience to comprehend fully the ongoing effects of childhood trauma on people, our advocates are highly empathetic, caring and make every effort to be mindful of survivors’ experiences and their ongoing support needs.
“In recent months, Sage staff working on the ground across the country have noted public interest in the supports available and local business owners are encouraged to contact Sage requesting further display material. At the same time, Sage staff noticed a reluctance by survivors to come forward and avail of supports available. This is understandable considering past experiences.
Reaching out for support can feel overwhelming for survivors, but Sage Advocacy operates entirely on consent. Making an initial call does not commit a person to ongoing involvement, and consent can be withdrawn at any stage. Sage staff emphasise that every call is treated with care and respect, and survivors who are not comfortable making contact themselves can ask a trusted person to make the first call on their behalf.
The motto of Sage Advocacy is ‘Nothing about you/without you’.
Ms Savin said that staff at Sage Advocacy come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and are trained in trauma informed practice and safeguarding responsibilities.
“Our staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Staff are trained in trauma informed practice and safeguarding responsibilities and work to quality standards and to the Code of Practice for Independent Advocates.
“Our focus is to ensure survivors are supported to access all services that they are legally entitled to and to assist them in navigating complex issues such as housing, finances, returning home, decision-making and health and social care issues.”
