As a Panel, we acknowledge that the language and terminology we use is very important and that the guidance we produce is related to difficult and sensitive matters. We understand that some people who use our guidance may hold different views to other users on the most suitable terminology, and we recognise this may be upsetting. Our hope has been, throughout the guidance writing process and future updating of our guidance, to not cause any distress. We endeavour to use safe and appropriate language, terminology and representation relating to Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalane Laundries, Workhouses and their related pathways and practices, noting there is not always a consensus, and we continue to engage in much discussion as to the sensitivity of our language use.
Throughout the guidance, we make specific language choices. For example, in records and other historic documents, some places are referred to and known as ‘homes’. In our guidance we have occasionally replaced ‘homes’ with the term ‘institutions’ because ‘homes’ may be considered inaccurate and insensitive by some people. However, we are also aware that some institutions may not be identifiable if referred to as an ‘institution’ and in these cases we have left the names unaltered. For example, the three laundries operated by the Good Shepherd Sisters were individually known as ‘St Mary’s Home’ with no reference to the accompanying laundry in the name.
We may also refer to a historic document or information which contains terminology we do not agree with, nor which we would use; but we have tried to limit this where possible. For example, many adopted people prefer to be referred to as “children, now adults” or “adopted adults” rather than “babies” or “adoptees”.
While composing our guidance, we sourced other recent and relevant studies around terminology and language, and were particularly impressed with the report:
Language, Terminology and Representation - considering Ireland's Institutions historically known as ‘Mother and Baby Homes’, ‘County Homes’ and related Institutions.
This report was written by Professor Caroline McGregor, Dr Carmel Devaney and Dr Sarah-Anne Buckley, UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, University of Galway, in conjunction with victims-survivors in the Republic of Ireland. The messages from the report are directed to a range of stakeholders including politicians and policy makers, professionals and others in authority, media, Church representatives, academics, researchers and members of the public.
As a Panel, we acknowledge the principles laid out in the findings of the above research and endeavour to use language and terminology which conveys respect and represents all people and their relatives impacted by Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, and Workhouses, and their pathways and practices.
Support services are available through the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) and their community partners WAVE and Adopt NI. For more information, you can contact VSS by telephone on 028 9027 9100 (open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) or by email at enquiries@vssni.org.