BELFAST (UNITED KINGDOM)
The Irish News [Belfast, Northern Ireland]
May 17, 2025
By Paul Ainsworth
Projects will help in preparing ‘advice and recommendations’ for ministers on the way forward for clerical abuse victims
Draft recommendations from three research projects into historical clerical abuse are to be presented to victims at an upcoming summit in Belfast.
The studies were commissioned earlier this year to examine the “extent and systemic nature of historical child abuse in faith settings in Northern Ireland”.
The aim is to “best address the needs of those affected by historical clerical child abuse”, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said in January when the studies were announced.
The research is being overseen by the Interdepartmental Working Group (IDWG) formed to develop recommendations over historical clerical child abuse and in respect of mother and baby institutions and Magdalene laundries – areas not covered by the north’s Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry.
In January, victims of faith-based abuse were asked to share their stories for one of the three research projects.
The review of victims and survivors experience project – led by Professor Tim Chapman – recorded interviews with victims in order to gauge their expectations on possible further investigations and the support offered to them.
The two other projects are a review of historical records, in order to identify how faith organisations and the criminal justice system responded to allegations of historical abuse, and a review of safeguarding policies and practices within the faith sector.
A document seen by The Irish News states the findings of each of the three projects are to be combined into a report by the IDWG, who will use it to “prepare advice and recommendations for ministers”.
The draft findings from each project will be presented at a behind-closed doors meeting at a location in Belfast.
Attendees will be given a chance to “ask questions and voice their views” on the draft recommendations – copies of which will be not be allowed to be taken away by attendees.
Following the confidential meeting, a “revised draft overarching recommendation report” will be prepared, with the aim of being presented to ministers next month.
“This is intended to be a victim and survivor driven conversation,” the document on the meeting states.
Both First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly have been invited to attend the meeting, at which a trauma counsellor will be present.
Following the announcement of the oral research project in January, Ms O’Neill said clerical abuse “has had a devastating impact on many people here, and those affected deserve truth and justice”.
She added of the project: “It is also important that they are able to tell their stories about the abuse they suffered, to be listened to and have their voices heard.
“This study will offer a safe space for people to do that.”
The Irish News approached The Executive Office for comment.