Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Compensation scheme for abuse victims must begin
Plea to avoid coronavirus delay
A COMPENSATION scheme for historical abuse survivors must be launched as scheduled next week despite the coronavirus lockdown, a campaigner said yesterday.
Jon Mccourt, of Survivors North West, said a virtual launch could deliver progress for victims without compromising safety with a public gathering.
Victims have already endured long delays in their campaign for recognition and compensation.
The Historical Institutional Abuse inquiry in 2016 said those who suffered harm in homes run by Church and State should be compensated.
But the collapse of Stormont in January 2017 delayed that process. In
December the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, David Sterling, said the application for abuse payments for those victims and survivors of historical abuse will open in March.
Mr Mccourt said another delay – even one that cannot be helped – would be a blow to victims.
He added: “The milestone date for the launch of the redress process was March 31, that was given to us by David Sterling long before this particular crisis.
“Even though everything is up in the air I am very, very aware that some see this as another delay – which it is, but this one is not a manufactured delay. It was supposed to be a public launch. Last week the word was it wouldn’t be a public launch but didn’t say there wasn’t going to be a launch.
“One way or another, the launch should go ahead,
ON SOCIAL MEDIA YESTERDAY
the opening of this redress should take place on March 31.”
Mr Mccourt acknowledged further steps following the launch, such as lawyers taking statements and access to documents, will be delayed due to the coronavirus crisis. The building where the redress board is based is closed for a deep clean.
But he said symbolically it is important to the victims that the scheme is opened. Mr Mccourt added: “Everything has conspired against us but let the launch date be March 31.”
The inquiry examined allegations of physical, emotional and sexual harm of children in residential institutions between 1922 and 1995.