Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse

Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse, Public & Government Service, 5th Floor South, Queen’s Court, 56-66 Upper Queen Street, Belfast.

The Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse represents and promotes the interests of victims and survivors who were abused as children in residential institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995.

This week, staff from COSICA visited the memorial plaque at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, dedicated to victims and sur...
18/06/2026

This week, staff from COSICA visited the memorial plaque at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, dedicated to victims and survivors of historical institutional child abuse, taking a quiet moment to reflect and pay their respects.

COSICA remains committed to advocating on behalf of victims and survivors and promoting their needs and priorities.

If you would like to get in touch, you can contact us on 028 9054 4985 or email [email protected].

Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse, Fiona Ryan, attended the British Association for Counsellin...
10/06/2026

Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse, Fiona Ryan, attended the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) ‘Making Connections’ event in Derry/Londonderry today. Fiona delivered a keynote address “Listen to Know: Consultation on Supports and Services to Victims and Survivors of Non-Recent/Historical Institutional Child Abuse”.

This was a valuable opportunity to engage with practitioners across the sector, strengthen understanding of the experiences of victims and survivors of non-recent/historical institutional child abuse and explore how insights from our consultation can inform therapeutic practice.

We are very grateful to the BACP for the opportunity to contribute to this important event and to share learning with colleagues working across vital counselling and psychotherapy services.

Do you want to know more about our work?The Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse represents and p...
04/06/2026

Do you want to know more about our work?

The Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse represents and promotes the interests of victims and survivors who were abused as children in residential institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995, as set out in the Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019.

We focus on:

• Providing clear information and guidance
• Raising awareness of rights and entitlements
• Advocating for lifelong access to supports and services

We also work to encourage the provision and coordination of relevant services to victims and survivors in Northern Ireland.

To learn more about our work, visit:

https://www.cosica-ni.org/

Commissioner Fiona Ryan recently published her spring 2026 update, outlining the Office’s work and ongoing priorities in...
27/05/2026

Commissioner Fiona Ryan recently published her spring 2026 update, outlining the Office’s work and ongoing priorities in supporting victims and survivors of historical institutional child abuse.

This update reflects our continued engagement with victims and survivors, stakeholders and partners, and highlights key areas of focus including our consultation and awareness raising initiative on supports and services.

Ensuring that the views and experiences of victims and survivors continue to inform policy and practice remains central to the Commissioner’s work.

You can read the full update here:

🔗 https://www.cosica-ni.org/news/commissioner-update-spring-2026

This we are reflecting on what victims and survivors of historical institutional child abuse told us in our consultati...
13/05/2026

This we are reflecting on what victims and survivors of historical institutional child abuse told us in our consultation about accessing mental health support.

Many described challenges in getting the help they need, with 30% of participants reporting that they had been unable to access support for their mental wellbeing.

Read more here https://www.cosica-ni.org/consultation-supports-and-services-victims-and-survivors

This , we want to highlight what we learned about the mental health needs of victims and survivors of non-recent/histor...
12/05/2026

This , we want to highlight what we learned about the mental health needs of victims and survivors of non-recent/historical institutional child abuse through our consultation on supports and services.

Participants spoke about the lasting impact of trauma on their wellbeing, with 68% describing their mental health as poor or very poor and only 7% reporting it as good or very good.

One participant told us: “My mental wellbeing has defined my life journey at a huge cost."

These findings underline the importance of ensuring that mental health support is consistent, accessible and responsive to the needs of victims and survivors.

COSICA is pleased to be at the NOTA Ireland and Northern Ireland Conference 2026 today, which provides a valuable opport...
07/05/2026

COSICA is pleased to be at the NOTA Ireland and Northern Ireland Conference 2026 today, which provides a valuable opportunity to engage with partners across the sector on best practice in responding to disclosures of sexual and domestic abuse.

The conference is centred on three key themes: effective justice responses; the importance of victim, survivor and lived experience voices; and the role of trauma-informed safeguarding. It reinforces the value of collaboration in improving outcomes for victims and survivors.

Insights from the discussions will help inform COSICA’s ongoing consideration of the findings from our consultation on supports and services to victims and survivors of non-recent/historical institutional child abuse.

20/04/2026

Consultation on Supports and Services to Victims and Survivors of Non-Recent/Historical Institutional Child Abuse

Individual Support Needs: What Victims and Survivors Told Us

Victims and survivors told us that community connections and practical support are vital for wellbeing and reducing isolation:

✔️ 43% of participants said community and social groups are crucial

✔️ 32% currently need welfare and pension advice – rising to 44% for future needs

Many expressed anxiety about the continuity of support services as they age.

👉 Explore our full report and recommendations:

https://www.cosica-ni.org/consultation-supports-and-services-victims-and-survivors

🎥 Watch Commissioner Fiona Ryan discuss these findings:

17/04/2026

Consultation on Supports and Services to Victims and Survivors

Family and Social Related Needs: What Victims and Survivors Told Us

Victims and survivors shared how survivor groups, community-based groups and other social networks help support mental health and reduce isolation:

✔️ 55% of participants have regular contact with friends
✔️ 28% engage with community or social groups
✔️ 82% maintain contact with family - though the quality of these relationships varies widely

That is why one of our key recommendations is that specialist services provided by the Victims and Survivors Service and its community partners remain accessible and available through the lifetime of victims and survivors.

👉 Explore our full report, key findings and recommendations here:

https://www.cosica-ni.org/consultation-supports-and-services-victims-and-survivors

🎥 Watch Commissioner Fiona Ryan discuss these findings:

14/04/2026

Consultation on Supports and Services to Victims and Survivors of Non-Recent/Historical Institutional Child Abuse

Physical Health: What Victims and Survivors Told Us

61% of participants reported poor or very poor physical health.

64% felt their physical health was affected long-term by their experiences in an institution.

48% expressed a strong reliance on support from services like WAVE Trauma Centre and the Victims and Survivors Service for health issues.

One victim and survivor told us: “As time moves on my health becomes ever more important. I will need the current support services to continue indefinitely, otherwise I fear for my future…”

Explore our full report, key findings and recommendations here:

https://www.cosica-ni.org/consultation-supports-and-services-victims-and-survivors

Watch Commissioner Fiona Ryan discuss these findings:

Address

5th Floor South, Queen’s Court, 56-66 Upper Queen Street
Belfast
BT16FD

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category