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Human Rights
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By Conal McGarrity
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Are You Eligible For Compensation From The Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board?

Seeking Justice : A Comprehensive Guide to the Historical Abuse Redress Scheme in Northern Ireland for potential applicants.

The Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019 received Royal Assent on 5 November 2019. The Act provides the legal framework for the establishment of the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board. The Honourable Mr Justice Colton was appointed as President elect on 15 November 2019

The Redress Board was established on 31 March 2020. It is responsible for receiving and processing applications for compensation from those who experienced abuse in residential institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995.

Applications will be considered by paper determination by a three person panel consisting of a judicial member and two non-judicial members from a health and social care background. The judicial member will chair the panel.

Did You Suffer Abuse In Either Of The Following Categories?

You can apply for compensation if you can answer ‘yes’ to both, or either, of the following statements:

  • I suffered abuse while a child and resident in an institution in Northern Ireland for a period of time between 1922 and 1995 inclusive: and/or

  • I was sent to Australia under the Child Migrant Programme.

You can also apply on behalf of someone who died on, or after, 28 April 1953 if you are the deceased person’s surviving spouse, civil partner, cohabiting partner or surviving child.

The Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Redress Board wants the procedure for processing applications for compensation to be as simple as possible.

Check if the institution you attended falls under the HIA Redress Scheme by using the following link below:

List of Institutions – May 2023.pdf (hiaredressni.uk)

What Can I Apply For?

The Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019 sets out the amounts of compensation that the Redress Board can award. These amounts are:

  1. A standard award payment of £10,000 only;

  2. An enhanced award payment of between £10,001 and £80,000; and

  3. An amount of £20,000 if the application is made by or in respect of a person who was sent to Australia under the Child Migrant Programme.

What do I need to apply?

You will need the following:

  • Copy Birth Certificate

  • Copy Photo I.D.

  • Passport or Driving Licence

The Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Redress Board wants the procedure for processing applications for compensation to be as simple as possible.

Case Study:

P.A. Duffy and Company Solicitors were delighted to obtain settlement of £55,000 from the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Scheme in respect of Client ‘X’.

Client ‘X’ suffered physical, emotional and sexual abuse as a child in the late 60s whilst residing at both Malone Training School and Rathgael Training School based in Belfast.

Many children were sentenced to these institutions. In this case, Client ‘X’ was sentenced by the Court for missing days at school.

Client ‘X’ describes the abuse perpetrated on him by teachers and masters at both institutions as ‘life limiting’ and explained how this abuse will ‘haunt’ him for the rest of his life. Client ‘X’, in his reflection stated that he hopes nobody will ever have to suffer what he did.

P.A. Duffy and Company Solicitors have also provided Client ‘X’ with details of support organisations for care after the case. We understand that for abuse survivors, telling someone about what they experienced whilst being institutionalised is often the most difficult part.

We would encourage anyone who has yet to come forward, to do so. The Historical Institutional Redress Scheme is in place to compensate victims who have suffered, similarly to Client ‘X’.

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