The Commissioner's role is to represent and promote the interests of victims and survivors who were abused as children in residential institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995, as set out in the Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019.
To carry out these functions, the Commissioner has statutory powers to:
- Undertake or commission research into matters concerning the interests of victims and survivors;
- Compile information concerning the interests of victims and survivors;
- Provide advice or information concerning the interests of victims and survivors;
- Publish information concerning the interests of victims and survivors; and
- Make representations or recommendations to any person concerning the interests of victims and survivors.
A key responsibility of the Commissioner is to encourage the provision and coordination of relevant services for victims and survivors in Northern Ireland, including identifying gaps in provision and advocating for improvements where necessary.