COSICA launches awareness initiative to support victims of non-recent institutional child abuse
The Office of the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse (COSICA) has launched a new awareness-raising initiative to ensure that victims and survivors of non-recent/historical institutional child abuse are aware of the supports and services available to them.
As part of the initiative, approximately 2,000 information packs have been distributed to elected representatives, community organisations and public-facing services across the North and beyond.
Information packs have been sent to MLAs, MPs, leisure centres, community centres, libraries, GPs and community pharmacies across Northern Ireland, together with TDs and Senators in the Republic of Ireland and support organisations throughout the UK, helping to ensure that information reaches victims and survivors wherever they now live.
The initiative will be delivered in two phases, with organisations encouraged to display campaign materials where appropriate initially and invited to share campaign messages through their social media and other communications channels as part of a second phase launching in January 2027.
The initiative aims to reach victims and survivors who may not yet be aware of the support available. It also seeks to reach those living outside Northern Ireland who spent time in institutions here as children, ensuring they know that support and assistance remain available regardless of where they now live.
Our message is simple: support is available, and you do not have to navigate things on your own.
COSICA works to promote and protect the interests of victims and survivors who experienced abuse while living in residential institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995, as set out in the Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019. The Office provides information and support, raises awareness of rights and entitlements, and advocates for lifelong access to appropriate supports and services.
Head of Office, Joanne McComb, said: "Many victims and survivors of non-recent/historical institutional child abuse continue to live with the impact of their experiences, and some may not be aware of the support available to them. Through this initiative, we want to ensure that information reaches as many people as possible, including those living outside Northern Ireland.
"We understand that seeking support can feel difficult. Our message is simple: support is available, and you do not have to navigate things on your own.
"We are grateful to the many organisations and elected representatives who are helping us ensure this information reaches those who may benefit from it."
This is the fifth awareness-raising initiative undertaken by COSICA since the Office was established in 2020.
Previous initiatives have focused on increasing awareness of available support and ensuring information reaches victims and survivors wherever they live. Information packs contain details about COSICA, the support and services available to victims and survivors, and information on how individuals can get in touch with the Office.
Anyone seeking further information can visit www.cosica-ni.org, telephone +44 (0) 28 9054 4985 or email [email protected].