Abuse Victims Urged To Seek Legal Advice

Victims of child abuse at a number of schools, orphanages and children’s homes in Ireland have until September 16th to apply for damages over the suffering caused through the Residential Institutions Redress Board, it has been confirmed.

Ministers in the country have confirmed that the body is to be phased out  as part of new laws set to come into force in the coming months, with government officials deeming the eight and a half years that the scheme has been open as an adequate period of time.

The Board was established to offer compensation to residents of almost 140 reformatory schools and other sites linked to the state where children are believed to have suffered as a result of institutionalised abuse and neglect.

Since it was created in 2002, it has finalised over 14,500 cases of abuse and poor treatment.

Tracey Storey, a Partner and expert in cases of child abuse at Irwin Mitchell, urged anyone who believes they were affected by such problems to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

She explained: “Children are among the most vulnerable members of society and it is deeply disturbing to think that so many have suffered abuse and neglect at the hands of the very people responsible for caring them.  These people were members of the Church and included nuns, monks and priests

“Victims of abuse often never fully recover from the deep psychological trauma inflicted caused by abuse but, while money will never make up for the problems survivors have suffered, it could go some way to helping them make a better future.

“We would urge anyone affected to come forward before the deadline and speak out about the problems they faced. It is vital that shocking cases of institutional abuse in the past do not go unnoticed and victims receive redress.”