The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse Fiona Ryan visited organisations in the north of England today (Thursday, 6th July) to raise awareness of supports and entitlements available to Northern Irish Victims and Survivors of historical institutional childhood abuse.
The Commissioner previously launched her Office’s international awareness initiative in March this year with the aim of increasing awareness among Northern Ireland Victims and Survivors of historical institutional childhood abuse of their entitlements around specialist services and how to apply for financial redress compensation.
The Commissioner met with Leeds Irish Health and Homes, as well as Irish Community Care, Fréa and the Irish Consul-General Ms Sarah Mangan.
Speaking after the event, Commissioner Ryan paid tribute to those she met:
“I want to thank Leeds Irish Health and Homes, as well as Irish Community Care, Fréa and the Irish Consul-General Ms Sarah Mangan for the time they have taken to talk to me today. Our shared hope is that we can work together to support Victims and Survivors of historical institutional childhood abuse.
“Since coming into this role, I have been struck by how many Victims and Survivors have left Northern Ireland in the intervening years. Factors, such as, economic necessity, the Troubles/ conflict, the need to distance themselves from their childhood trauma or a combination of some or all of these, have led to them seeking a life elsewhere.
“I have listened intently to representatives from the organisations here today and have learned more about the realities of Northern Ireland Victims and Survivors of non-recent historical institutional childhood abuse living in England’s northern towns and cities.
“I hope that this meeting will lead to more Northern Ireland Victims and Survivors becoming informed about the support and services that they are entitled to, even if they have moved away. My Office is ready to listen and if they wish to advise them of specialist services and how to apply for financial redress compensation.”