AQW 14726/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 10/09/2024
Answered On Date: 19/09/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any plans they have to support victims and survivors of non-recent childhood abuse that fall outside the settings of Historical Institutional Abuse, including public facilitated foster care settings.

Answer:

We recognise the devastating impact that all forms of childhood abuse has on victims and survivors.

While foster care more broadly is a matter for the Department for Health, as part of the implementation of the recommendations being taken forward by TEO’s Truth Recovery Programme, to date the Victims and Survivors Service has provided a range of practical, emotional and therapeutic services and support to those victims and survivors affected by the pathways and practices of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses (1922-1995). This includes those children, now adults, who were both adopted and moved into foster care settings.

We have also commissioned research to examine the extent and systemic nature of Historical Clerical Child Abuse here. The purpose of the research is to enable the provision of informed, evidence-based recommendations to Ministers on any future action required regarding non-recent child abuse within the faith sector.

Information relating to health and social care services support to victims of abuse, including childhood abuse, should be sought from the Department of Health. Information relating to support available relating to criminal justice processes should be sought from the Department of Justice.