170 abuse claims in NI under police investigation

Figures released by PSNI show that they are currently investigating over 170 claims of clerical and institutional abuse throughout Northern Ireland.


The majority of the abuse claims being looked into are from some years ago, with only a small number relating to incidents in the last five years. The majority (130) involve sexual abuse, and the remainder are claims of physical abuse.


Michelle Gildernew, chair of the Stormont health committee considers that the current number of cases is "quite conservative" and believes more victims will come forward when they are ready to deal with the abuse they have suffered.

Peter Lockard from NEXUS believes the police investigations need to go a "lot wider than just the Catholic Church", saying he believes there to be abuse "in all major institutions throughout the country where there are vulnerable children."

Two months ago the Northern Ireland executive agreed to set up an enquiry looking into claims of abuse in institutional care homes dating as far back as 1945.

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