Apologies and the Legacy of Abuse of Children in 'Care': International Perspectives (Palgrave Studies in the History of Childhood)

This Book Positions Inquiries Into The Historical Abuse Of Children In Care Within The Context Of Transitional Justice. It Examines Investigation, Apology And Redress Processes Across A Range Of Western Nations To Trace The Growth Of The Movement, National Particularities And The Impact Of The Work On Professionals Involved. Edited By Johanna Sköld, Shurlee Swainches This book positions inquiries into the historical abuse of children in care within the context of transitional justice. It examines investigation, apology and redress processes across a range of Western nations to trace the growth of the movement, national particularities and the impact of the work on professionals involved. This collection examines the inquiries into the historical abuse of children in care which have proliferated across Western countries over the last twenty years, positioning them as a new area within the field of transitional justice. Drawing on the experience of care-leaver advocates, historians, archivists, museum professionals, social workers, lawyers and psychologists who have been involved in, or researched investigation, apology and redress processes in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Scotland and Sweden it traces the growth of the movement and identifies differences in the ways in which it has played out in specific locations. Writing from their experiences the authors are able to identify the opportunities and challenges which face the different professional groups who have been drawn into such work Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Introduction....Pages 1-9 Front Matter....Pages 11-11 Apology Politics: Transnational Features....Pages 13-26 Contested Memories: Caring about the Past — or Past Caring?....Pages 27-41 Children’s Agency: The Struggles of the Powerless....Pages 42-54 Trials and Contestations: Ireland’s Ryan Commission....Pages 55-69 Contextualizing Reparations Politics....Pages 70-82 Why Sexual Abuse? Why Now?....Pages 83-94 Front Matter....Pages 95-95 Denmark: The Godhavn Inquiry....Pages 97-105 Sexual Abuse in Dutch Child Protection, 1945–2010....Pages 106-113 The Politics of Apology: The Norwegian Case....Pages 114-123 Scotland: Historic Abuse in Care and Human Rights....Pages 124-133 Canadian Inquiries Stumble Towards Redress....Pages 134-143 Front Matter....Pages 145-145 The Role and Importance of History....Pages 147-158 Truth-Seeking in Oral Testimonies and Archives....Pages 159-171 Dilemmas of Care: Social Work and Historic Abuse....Pages 172-180 Transitional Justice Workers and Vicarious Trauma....Pages 181-190 Back Matter....Pages 191-217