Commissioner’s response to publication of Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry Report

Koulla Yiasouma, Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, said:

“I welcome the publication of this long awaited report and hope that its findings bring some vindication to those who lost their childhoods to these heinous actions and crimes. The survivors must be admired for their bravery in coming forward, which will allow us to learn from their experiences.

“It is important that the survivors receive justice and full recognition of the abuse they suffered. I echo calls made by others that regardless of political disagreements, these findings must be acted upon by the current administration in the short time they have left, by the PSNI and as a matter of urgency, by the next Executive when it is in place.

“Children’s homes and other residential institutions, where our most vulnerable children reside, must be places where children are cared for, protected and loved.

“Child protection is an area where there is no room to be complacent. While I am assured by the checks and balances we have today to protect children from abuse, there are always opportunities to learn lessons.

“We must create an open dialogue with our children, where they feel confident that when they tell us something, we will listen to them and act on what is being said.

“I look forward to receiving the Northern Ireland Executive’s response on how they are going to take forward the issues raised by Judge Hart.”