Child Abuse
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse
The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was initially chaired by Ms. Justice Mary Laffoy of the High Court and was established by the Irish Government on a solely administrative basis in May 1999.
The establishment of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was one of the measures introduced by the Government to address the effects of childhood abuse. The Commission initially had very broad ranging terms of reference and it reported to the Government in September and October 1999. As a consequence, the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was placed on a statutory basis resulting in the enactment of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000.
The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000.
Functions
This new statutory commission has three primary functions:
- To listen to victims of childhood abuse who wished to recount their experiences to a sympathetic form.
- To fully investigate all allegations of abuse made to it, except where the victim did not wish for such an investigation to occur, and;
- To publish a report of its findings for the benefit of the general public.
A forum
The Commission as true its confidential committee provided a forum for victims of abuse to recount their devastating experiences on an entirely confidential basis. This committee solely meets the needs of those victims who wish to speak of their experiences but who do not under any circumstance wish to become involve in an investigation of what occurred. The committee will only provide the Commission with a general report on the issues that it encounters during the course of his work.
Investigative committee
The Commission has also an investigation committee. This investigation committee facilitates victims who wish to both recount their experiences and also who wish to have the allegations of abuse fully inquired into by that committee. In this instance, the committee also reports to the Commission. On completion of its work, the Commission will publish a report directly to the general public based on presumably the reports of its own committees. Such a report may identify institutions in which abuse occurred and may also identify persons responsible. In addition, it is likely that such a report would make findings in regard to the management and regulatory authorities of residential institutions. The Commission is also required in its report to make recommendations on measures to elevate the effects of abuse on victims and also to prevent future abuse in institutions.
For further information
For further information, please contact Malcomson Law by calling 01 8744422 or by filling out an Online Enquiry Form. A solicitor who specialises in this area will contact you to advise you of your legal rights and entitlements.
Basic Information on the Commission
1. What is the Commissions job?
- To investigate abuse of children in institutions and find out why it happened and who was responsible for such abuse.
- To report directly to the general public about:
- What happened in the past?
- What should be done to help survivors of abuse now?
- What should be done to protect children not in the care of their parents now and into the future?
2. What sort of abuse does the Commission cover?
The Commission investigates all types of abuse:
- Physical
- Sexual
- Emotional
- Neglect
As long as the abuse took place prior to the residents 18th birthday.
3. What Residential Institutions are covered?
An Institution means any place where a child was cared for other than his or her family. Such a place includes:
- Orphanages
- Industrial Schools
- Reformatory Schools
- Hospitals
- Children's Homes
- Day or Boarding Schools
In addition, it also includes foster care.
4. What sort of findings can the Commission make?
The Commissions final report will contain findings from both the confidential committee and the investigation committee.
It is expected that the confidential committee will make a general report which won't name any person who suffered abuse or any specific person or institution. This is because persons who go to the confidential committee do not wish to have any information about themselves given to anyone outside the Commission or do not wish to be questioned by anyone outside the Commission.
The Investigation Committee will be able to make more specific findings. If such a committee is satisfied that abuse of children happened in a particular institution, it can name the institution and the person or persons who committed such abuse. Also, it may have the capacity to identify the people who were responsible for managing or supervising such an Institution.
Making a claim
For further information, please contact Malcomson Law by calling 01 8744422 or by filling out an Online Enquiry Form. A solicitor who specialises in this area will contact you to advise you of your legal rights and entitlements.