The Health Minister has been called to ensure the inquiry into the exploitation of children and young people here is independent and has the power to investigate.
Sinn Fein MLA Maeve McLaughlin
The call comes from Derry MLA Maeve McLaughlin, Sinn Féin health spokesperson and chairperson of the Assembly’s Health Committee.
Ms McLaughlin has welcomed the announcement that an inquiry is to take place following the recent revelations of child exploitation. However, she stressed the inquiry needed to ensure first and foremost that young and vulnerable children and youth were not put at risk again.
The Sinn Fein MLA added: “Everything we do to highlight and eradicate this abuse needs to be child centered and needs to be about safeguarding and protecting our children and young people – especially those who are most vulnerable.”
Ms McLaughlin said it was a “shocking failure” that “nothing was done” after the issue was highlighted in a Barnardos report published in 2011 which research datesd back to 2009.
She added: “The Minister has referred to an investigation – this is not what is required. An inquiry with proper independence, powers to investigate and accountability mechanisms is required.
“We should not be afraid to learn the lessons and if Departments have failed after being mandated to act then they should be made accountable.”
Ms McLaughlin said the inquiry must be equipped with all the necessary resources and powers to address the abuse and must be “totally transparent.”
She concluded: “It is vital that the inquiry examines why, when it was known that child sexual exploitation was happening from at least 2006, that Departments failed to protect these children.”
