Victims of historical abuse finally receive public apology

POLITICIANS from across the political spectrum today issued public apologies to the victims of historical institutional abuse.

The apology was issued in the Stormont Assembly chamber today where vicitms sat on the benches normally occupied by MLAs.

Survivors of abuse, committed over a period spanning decades in state-run and other institutions in Derry, Belfast and Newry, have been campaigning for years for justice.

Many have been left traumatised by the physical and mental abuse they suffered. Some have died during the long campaign, without getting justice or hearing an apology.

The long-awaited apology was one of the recommendations made by Sir Anthony Hart in his report findings of the HIA Inquiry, published in 2017.

The apology was originally to be issued by First Minister Paul Givan and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill but Mr Givan resigned in February over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

First to speak today was Fiona Ryan, the Commissioner for survivors of institutional childhood abuse, is speaking.

She says they have gathered “to hear words that have been delayed for years, are lifetimes late and in many cases, tragically, are too late”.

Ms Ryan says Sir Anthony Hart’s inquiry happened “due to the victims and survivors themselves who fought to be seen and heard by an officialdom that was largely blind and deaf to the abuse they had suffered, to their anger and to their ongoing pain”.

“Made to feel ashamed as children. Shunned as adults. Silence was expected. Survivors, however, were not silent. Instead they began speaking out, telling the truth of what had happened to them in these institutions.”

The commissioner said a survivor of abuse described the process of getting redress and an apology as “tortuous”.

“How else do you describe having to fight every day when you are already hurting so badly from hurts of the heart, of the mind and the spirit caused by systemic abuse throughout your childhood?” she asks.

“For let us be clear why we are here today and what is being apologised for.

“We are talking about the systemic physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect of children for decades in residential institutions in Northern Ireland.”

She said we need to acknowledge people who have died “who will not hear this apology”.

She added that if there’s a question over the lifelong impact of childhood abuse, then loved ones of survivors who have died will tell people that “in their final days it was their earliest years they remembered”.

“We can only acknowledge and pay tribute to their courage and the courage of all survivors and ensure the words said today are underwritten by action and commitment to do right.”

She finished her remarks by calling for a minute’s silence in the assembly chamber.

The silence ended with a spontaneous round of applause.

The commissioner was followed by DUP Education Minister Michelle McIlveen.

She said “today we say that we are sorry” for how children were let down by the state.

“We did not ensure these homes were all free from hunger and cold; from mistreatment and abuse.

“It was the state’s responsibility to do that, and it failed you.

“We neglected you, rejected you, we made you feel unwanted.

“It was not your fault. The state let you down.”

Ms McIlveen said what survivors told ministers they needed to hear was that they were believed when they told their story.

“You were not believed. We are sorry that you were not believed.

“The state has listened to you and the state believes you.

“We are truly sorry,” she concluded.

Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long said the Assembly chamber is a fitting place for the apology as it’s where laws are made and those who govern are held to account.

She said no-one can undo what happened in the past.

“However, we – as law makers and policy makers – can commit to doing everything we can within our power to make the right laws, the right policies and the right guidance; and to provide the right support services for those who need it.

“We acknowledge your desire to make sure that future generations of children will never have to suffer the abuse you experienced – we echo that desire and it is our job to make sure that does not happen.”

Mrs Long said that when children are taken into care they should be safe.

She added: “Some 13 years after you first came to Parliament Buildings, the courage and determination of all of you means that you are sitting here today listening closely to what is being said.

“We pay tribute to your courage and determination, and to your staying power.”

She finised by saying the persistence and determination of survivors had shaped a “completely different approach” to how children are treated in the care and justice systems.

“The way we do things today is designed to protect our children. We did not always do that in the past, and for that we are truly sorry.”

SDLP Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon told the Assembly that the abuse inquiry “shone a light on a dark, harsh and bleak period of our past”.

She said no apology “can make up for our failings, and the pain that you as victims and survivors have endured as a result”.

“But we hope that our clea

r and outright acknowledgement will bring some relief.”

She added: “None of this was of your doing, and none of this was your fault.”

Nichola Mallon said many survivors did not know they had brothers and sisters when they were growing up.

“It is hard to comprehend the impact of this separation from those you were closest to, from those who loved you,” she said.

“We deeply regret how this affected the rest of your life, your trust in others and your sense of identity.”

She ended her speech by paying tribute “to your courage in making this contribution for the benefit of those who came after you”.

Ulster Unionist Health Minister Robin Swann said the Assembly wants to acknowledge all who had the courage to speak up and highlight horrendous abuse.

“This was often done at great personal cost,” he said.

“What happened to each and every one of you was wrong.

“It should not have happened and it is critical that every possible step is taken to ensure that nothing like this happens to any other child in the care of the state – ever again.”

Robin Swann said that today across all health, educational, and youth justice environments children’s welfare and their protection is paramount and non-negotiable.

“You, and people who have come before you, who have had the courage to bring to light issues of abuse, have shaped the robust safeguarding measures in place today; measures that now provide the safest possible environments for our children and young people,” he said.

The Health Minister added: “Systemic abuse should never have happened.

“We are truly sorry that it did happen and we commit fully to ensuring that it will never happen again.”

Sinn Fein Finance Minister Conor Murphy said “we understand the importance of today’s apology” and that he recognises it has taken “too long” for victims to hear it.

“You, and all victims and survivors, deserve nothing less than full acknowledgement of the harm inflicted on you as children, and the suffering you have endured throughout your lives as a result of our failures,” he said.

“You deserve to be supported in the right way, as recommended by Sir Anthony Hart.”

Referring now to one of Sir Anthony’s key recommendations, compensation, the ministers said victims deserve a redress process sensitive to their needs.

“We hope that changes coming from the independent review will make the redress journey a much more victim-centred process.”

Mr Murphy said ministers will continue to hear the voices of victims ajnd survivors and that children in care “must have support to express their views”.

“We should have heard your voices as children and we did not,” he said.

“We all agree on the need for the child’s voice to be heard.”

Mr Murphy added: “Whilst we are focused on supporting people now, we are very conscious of those no longer with us.

“Indeed, we are very mindful today of the many victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse who have died.

“Sadly, they did not live to see the justice, or have the acknowledgement, they deserved.”

He said the apology is unconditional and echoes the words of his fellow ministers – and, with that, their section of the official apology is over.

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