SDLP Executive Office Committee Chair Colin McGrath MLA has welcomed the launch of an appointment process for the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse. He said this is an important day for victims and survivors.
The South Down MLA said: “This is an important day for victims and survivors across the North and marks another step forward to the redress they so badly deserve.
“I have been pressing the First and deputy First Minister to ensure that COVID-19 does not lead to any further delay in the appointment process for this Commissioner and it is welcome that the process has launched today.
“The Commissioner, when appointed, will have a statutory responsibility to ensure that the needs of victims and survivors are heard and are being met. They will also have the authority and resource to be able to support victims effectively.
“This is a positive step forward and I hope the fact this process is now underway will provide some comfort for those victims and survivors, who have been failed for far too long,” said Mr McGrath.
Public appointment competition launched for the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse (COSICA)
First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill today launched the public appointment competition for the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse (COSICA).
First Minister Arlene Foster said: “This is another important day for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse. The Commissioner, when appointed, will have a statutory duty to promote the interests of any person who suffered abuse as a child while resident in an institution at some time between 1922 and 1995.”
The Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019 made statutory provision for the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse (COSICA) to be established.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “It is of the upmost importance that the needs and concerns of victims and survivors are met and that their voices are clearly heard and the appointment of COSICA will ensure this happens.
“This is a high profile and crucial appointment and I would encourage all those meeting the selection criteria to apply.”
