News Letter
July 24, 2009
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/MP-calls-for-probe-into.5490444.jp
Upper Bann MP David Simpson last night called for an inquiry to establish the level of child abuse in religious orders and other care environments in Northern Ireland.
He met with Children's Commissioner Patricia Lewsley to discuss abuse of children in the care of various organisations.
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| David Simpson |
Mr Simpson said that in light of the Ryan Report in the Republic, which showed the systematic abuse of children in the care of religious orders, it was important to establish the scale of the problem in the Province.
He said this would be a means of giving official recognition to the hurt caused to victims and of providing support for them and their families.
Mr Simpson said: "The Ryan Report was damning. It demonstrated that the abuse of children was not merely the responsibility of a few isolated individuals, but rather was endemic throughout the system.
"Just yesterday it was reported that up to 450 children had been abused in the Dublin Diocese alone.
"Whilst there have been individual cases brought against people accused of abusing children in their care in Northern Ireland, such as the prosecution of Brendan Smyth, a member of the Norbertine Order, there has not been a serious investigation into the scale of the problem of child abuse by religious orders, or other care institutions in Northern Ireland."
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