NORTHERN IRELAND
UTV
[with video]
A woman giving evidence at the historical abuse inquiry has waived her right to anonymity in the hope it will help other victims speak out.
Proceedings had to be halted on Wednesday morning as Kate Walmsley broke down in the witness box while speaking about her time at Nazarath House in Londonderry.
Kate, who is now 57, told the hearing that she was regularly sexually assaulted when she was resident there in the 1960s by a priest and by older female residents.
She said the experience had “destroyed” her – but that she wanted to become the first victim to waive her right to anonymity to help other victims who haven’t yet come forward.
The inquiry in Banbridge, Co Down, heard how Kate was described in welfare documents as a troublesome child and that she was badly behaved. She said this was because of how she was treated, adding that she had been beaten by nuns and force-fed her own vomit.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.