The National Day of Reflection is to provide a space for all of us to reflect on all our parts and roles in allowing, supporting, and sustaining abuse in our societies.  We also want to say to those who carry the effects: "You can heal," and to those who hurt:  “"It's ok to be pained."

On this National Day of Reflection, we will ask our societies and cultures --particularly all those affected by abuse -- to come together in whatever way they see fit to reflect on creating a future with less abuse. 

We the undersigned individuals, social organisations, and agencies propose that the 21st of June 2014 be designated as Ireland’s first annual National Day of Reflection on institutional, clerical, and sexual abuse.  On the day of the longest light, we will take a giant step out of the darkness created by the malignant shame of this abuse and into a brighter future where institutional, clerical, and sexual abuse is no longer tolerated.  

To begin to accomplish our goal, we as individuals, society, institutions, and the State will come together to reflect on how we can heal the wounds of the past, create a present in which we are in no way complicit in allowing abuse to continue, and imagine a future that is safe from abuse for us all. 

For furhter information see chooseforgiveness.org