THE PSNI has confirmed it is now investigating six separate allegations of physical and sexual abuse involving mother and baby homes in Northern Ireland.
The reports are from “a number of people who were adopted from different named institutions and also from some who either worked there or were residents within these institutions”, they confirmed on November 2.
“All those who have come forward have been spoken to by a specialist detective from the Historic Child Abuse Unit within the Public Protection Branch and have been offered the opportunity to have their account recorded so that a criminal investigation can take place,” they explained.
All those who have made contact with the PSNI have also been offered to be signposted to other services for help and support.
“Officers are pleased that people are having the confidence after all these years to come forward and report,” the PSNI state, however the force believes “there are still people out there who have suffered as a result of criminal activity taking place in these Homes”.
The PSNI have conducted a new messaging campaign, calling on the community in Northern Ireland to make sure everyone knows how to contact the force via their dedicated reporting channels regarding incidents that may have occurred in mother and baby homes.
Detective Chief Superintendent Anthony McNally, Head of the PSNI’s Public Protection Branch, said: “We recognise the profound impact on the lives of those who were in Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries, and the concerns of the wider public on how they were operated.
“Those who suffered abuse in these Homes or know somebody who did, or those who may have witnessed potential criminal activity take place, please contact us. We don’t want anyone to feel they have to suffer in silence anymore.”
He added: “We will continue to circulate the details of our dedicated reporting channels but would ask that our local communities help us in getting the message out across Northern Ireland that we have a team of officers ready to robustly investigate reports made to us.”
Anyone wishing to contact the dedicated Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries Investigative Team can email: [email protected] , call 02890 901728 in office hours or dial 101 outside of office hours you can call 101 to speak to a call handler from the Police Service of Northern Ireland who will pass their details to the dedicated investigation team to make direct contact.
