The Executive Office – Awareness Campaign for Victims and Survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse

16 October 2023

Awareness Campaign for Victims and Survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse

The Executive Office has today announced the launch of the next phase of the awareness campaign for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse.

This phase of the campaign will focus on using digital media and outdoor advertising to increase awareness of the support, services and compensation available for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse.

It will build on the newspaper advertising, posters and social media videos issued in March and the leaflets distributed to every household in Northern Ireland in May.

Patrick Gallagher, Director of Victims and Survivors, the Executive Office, explained: “Since its establishment on 31 March 2020, the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board (HIARB) has received over 4,035 applications and made award determinations totalling some £77 million.

“We want to continue our efforts to reach those victims and survivors who are unaware of the help and support that is now available to them.”

The campaign continues to highlight the roles of the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse (COSICA), the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) and the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board (HIARB) and provides contact details for those seeking support.

Notes to Editors

1. The Northern Ireland Executive’s Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse (2014-17) made a range of recommendations, including the establishment of:
   • A Commissioner of Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse (COSICA);
   • Support services for victims and survivors (which are provided by the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS)); and
   • A redress scheme, which is managed by the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board (HIARB) to consider compensation claims.
2. Media queries should be directed to the TEO press office via email at press.office@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.