The report was developed after interview 1090 victims and ranged over 86 years. This is (if the figure of over 30,000 students attending these schools is correct)less than 4% of the students who were in these schools. Also the term abuse ranges from severe physical beatings which lead to permanent damage to what was once routine corporal punishments in schools such as paddling. The sexual abuse too can mean rape or fondling.
This does not excuse any of the behaviors. But putting things into perspective might help put a more realistic view on the claim this problem was endemic. Also in interviewing former students and relying mostly on their memory of events how can the interviewers be certain time has not altered those memories?
“This does not excuse any of the behaviors. But putting things into perspective might help put a more realistic view on the claim this problem was endemic.”
So much for sack cloth and ashes.