Justice for Magdalenes Research

Justice for Magdalenes Research (JFMR) is a research and advocacy group for survivors of Magdalene Laundries in Ireland established in 2013. It was preceded by Justice for Magdalenes, a volunteer-run advocacy group that exited the political arena when it was successful in meeting its two main objectives, of bringing about an official apology from the Irish State and a compensation scheme for all survivors. By researching the Magdalene Laundries and similar institutions, the main aims of JFMR are to provide for the advancement of education of the general public and to provide information and support to the women who spent time there, and their families. JFMR has focused on the role of the State involvement in the Magdalene institutions and the human rights abuse that occurred there to make the public aware of how to critique and hold the State accountable, even as it seeks to devolve its powers to private organisations. JFMR aims to enable the public to understand the ideology and contexts that gave rise to such institutions, and to sensitise the public to contemporary conditions that enable prejudicial discrimination to become established, and even part of State apparatus. An archive of work to date, and resources for researchers, survivors and families are available at www.jfmresearch.com.