Terrorism

Ireland church: Thousands beaten, raped in Irish reform schools: "The report found that molestation and rape were "endemic" in boys' facilities..."

..."Girls... suffered much less sexual abuse but frequent assaults and humiliation designed to make them feel worthless. 'In some schools a high level of ritualized beating was routine. ... Girls were struck with implements designed to maximize pain and were struck on all parts of the body,' the report said. Personal and family denigration was widespread."...

..."Today's report also highlighted the rarity of human kindness in the institutions.

'A word of consideration or encouragement, or an act of sympathy or understanding, had a profound effect. Adults in their 60s and 70s recalled seemingly insignificant events that had remained with them all their lives,' the report said.

'Often the act of kindness, recalled in such a positive light, arose from the simple fact that the staff member had not given a beating when one was expected.'"