The First Minister and deputy First Minister are encouraging
victims and survivors of historical child abuse in faith settings
to tell their stories as part of a research study.
The project, which has been commissioned by The Executive Office,
will look at the experiences of victims and survivors across all
faith settings. It will also seek to understand what participants
see as potential next steps.
First Minister said: “Clerical
child abuse has had a devastating impact on many people here, and
those affected deserve truth and justice. It is also important
that they are able to tell their stories about the abuse they
suffered, to be listened to and have their voices heard. This
study will offer a safe space for people to do that.”
Deputy First Minister said: “We
recognise the importance of fully understanding the prevalence of
child abuse in faith settings and the impact it has had on
victims and survivors.
“This research will help inform how we can best address
the needs of those affected by historical clerical child abuse. I
would encourage people to come forward and take part in the
study, to share their lived experience and tell their stories
about what happened in their own words.”
The study is one of three pieces of research which have been
commissioned to examine the extent and systemic nature of
historical child abuse in faith settings in Northern Ireland. The
work will be overseen by the Interdepartmental Working Group
(IDWG), which was set up to oversee research and develop
recommendations in respect of historical Mother and Baby
Institutions/Magdalene Laundries as well as historical clerical
child abuse (HCCA). These are areas that were not covered by the
Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry.
Professor Tim Chapman has been commissioned to carry out the
study. He said: “I would encourage anyone who would like to, to
come forward and take part in this study. Our team has
significant experience in engaging with victims and survivors and
will ensure that you are given a voice and enabled to relate your
individual lived experience as part of a confidential process.
“I would reassure everyone that participants will be supported in
telling their story through a victim-centred approach with access
to qualified counsellors for those who need them.”
Lisa Caldwell, chair of the Interdepartmental Working Group,
explained: “This is an important milestone in this crucial
programme of research. When the three research pieces are
complete, we will provide Ministers with recommendations on the
proposed way forward. Lived experience will form a key part of
these recommendations.”
If you would like to participate in the oral history study,
please contact Tim Chapman at timchapman@rjteam.net
or call him on 07351940491, before end of February 2025.
Notes to editors:
- Victims and Survivors Reference Group member Anthony (Tony)
Gribben, is available for interview. Please contact press office
for further information.
- Prof Tim Chapman is also available for interview. He can be
contacted at timchapman@rjteam.net or by
phone on 07351940491.
- In addition to the oral history study, two further pieces of
work are also under way - one considering what historical records
show about how the faith sector and public bodies responded to
allegations of clerical abuse, and the other reviewing
safeguarding policy and practice within the faith sector.
- The Interdepartmental Working Group was set up in 2016 at the
request of the Northern Ireland Executive to take forward work on
historic Mother and Baby Homes/Magdalene Laundries (MBH/ML) and
Historical Clerical Child Abuse (HCCA). Its work on MBH/ML is now
finished and its sole focus is now HCCA.
- The membership of the Group includes representatives from The
Executive Office, the Departments of Health, Justice, Education,
Economy, Communities, and the Departmental Solicitor's Office. It
is jointly sponsored by The Executive Office and the Department
of Health.
- Lisa Caldwell was appointed as the Independent Chair to the
Interdepartmental Working Group in November 2023.
