The Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse Fiona Ryan is visiting the London Irish Centre today (Thursday, 25th May) to raise awareness of supports and entitlements available to Northern Irish Victims and Survivors of historical institutional childhood abuse.
The Commissioner launched her Office’s international awareness initiative in March this year to increase awareness among Northern Ireland Victims and Survivors of historical institutional childhood abuse of their entitlements around specialist services and applying for financial redress compensation.
Speaking ahead of the event, Commissioner Ryan paid tribute to the London Irish Centre and the other organisations attending the meeting:
“I want to thank the London Irish Centre and the other organisations – ICAP, Lewisham Irish Community Centre and the Maya Centre’s Irish Women’s Project for taking the time to meet with me today.
“During my time as Commissioner, I have been highly aware that many Victims and Survivors have left Northern Ireland. Factors, such as, economic necessity, the Troubles or conflict, the need to distance themselves from their childhood trauma or a combination of some or all of these, have led to them living elsewhere.
“I hope by listening to representatives from organisations here today to learn more about the realities of Northern Ireland Victims and Survivors of non-recent historical institutional childhood abuse living in London.
“I also want to let Northern Ireland Victims and Survivors of historical institutional childhood abuse living in London and elsewhere know that they are entitled to avail of specialist services and can apply for financial redress compensation.”
The event will be held on Thursday 25th May from 11.30am-3pm, London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB.