“Contributions need to fund long-term services” – Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse

Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse, Fiona Ryan commented: 

I welcome confirmation that further payment has now been made by two of the relevant six institutions. These contributions are intended to fund the cost of redress and specialist support services. Contributions for many survivors are also about justice and accountability. It is worth underlining that the other remaining institutions found by the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry to have been guilty of systemic failings, have yet to make contributions seven years after the Inquiry. 

Abuse in childhood can leave a life-long legacy of trauma with victims and survivors requiring ongoing supports. Support needs that are only likely to increase as victims and survivors age. Victims and survivors need a plan reflecting the reality of ongoing support needs and services. Victims and survivors have pasts but they also have futures.  And those ongoing needs should be foremost in consideration of contributions.