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Call to assess child abuse in NI Call to assess child abuse in NI
(about 2 hours later)
The Assembly has called on the Executive to assess the extent of abuse and neglect in children's homes in Northern Ireland in the past.The Assembly has called on the Executive to assess the extent of abuse and neglect in children's homes in Northern Ireland in the past.
It also called on it to provide funding to support helpline and counselling services for victims of abuse.It also called on it to provide funding to support helpline and counselling services for victims of abuse.
MLAs voted in favour of an SDLP motion expressing grave concern at the findings of the Ryan report.MLAs voted in favour of an SDLP motion expressing grave concern at the findings of the Ryan report.
The report was on abuse in institutions run by the Catholic religious orders in the Irish Republic.The report was on abuse in institutions run by the Catholic religious orders in the Irish Republic.
The motion called for the Executive to liaise with the authorities south of the border.The motion called for the Executive to liaise with the authorities south of the border.
A DUP amendment which did not include any reference to north-south cooperation was not adopted.A DUP amendment which did not include any reference to north-south cooperation was not adopted.
Earlier on Monday, campaigners demanding an inquiry into child abuse in Catholic and state institutions in Northern Ireland delivered a petition to the Assembly.Earlier on Monday, campaigners demanding an inquiry into child abuse in Catholic and state institutions in Northern Ireland delivered a petition to the Assembly.
Deirdre O'Donoghue and Margaret McGuckin handed over a petition at Stormont
Thousands of people are understood to have signed the petition which was handed to SDLP MLA Carmel Hanna.Thousands of people are understood to have signed the petition which was handed to SDLP MLA Carmel Hanna.
The group, Justice for the Victims of Institutional Abuse in NI, wants an inquiry similar to that which produced the Ryan Report in the Irish Republic.The group, Justice for the Victims of Institutional Abuse in NI, wants an inquiry similar to that which produced the Ryan Report in the Irish Republic.
It said that abuse in Catholic-run institutions there was "endemic".It said that abuse in Catholic-run institutions there was "endemic".
In the assembly debate, Mrs Hanna said the Ryan Report was "a terrifying account of the shattered lives of generations of Irish children, a catalogue of inhumanity perpetrated against the most vulnerable children".In the assembly debate, Mrs Hanna said the Ryan Report was "a terrifying account of the shattered lives of generations of Irish children, a catalogue of inhumanity perpetrated against the most vulnerable children".
"The relevant religious congregations operated on an all-island basis."The relevant religious congregations operated on an all-island basis.
"That is why Ryan needs to be complemented and finalised by a post-script for Northern Ireland and why the Executive needs to act now.""That is why Ryan needs to be complemented and finalised by a post-script for Northern Ireland and why the Executive needs to act now."
"Discrimination""Discrimination"
A lawyer for the victims has said they suffered sexual and physical abuse in cases dating back to the 1940s, but believed they have been discriminated against since inquires in the south of Ireland did not extend to Northern Ireland.A lawyer for the victims has said they suffered sexual and physical abuse in cases dating back to the 1940s, but believed they have been discriminated against since inquires in the south of Ireland did not extend to Northern Ireland.
Solicitor Joe Rice said he had written to First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, as well as Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, detailing the demand for an inquiry.Solicitor Joe Rice said he had written to First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, as well as Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, detailing the demand for an inquiry.
He said he believed the inquiry should be run along the lines of the State-sponsored investigation conducted in the 1980s into a child sex abuse scandal at Kincora Boys' Home in east Belfast.He said he believed the inquiry should be run along the lines of the State-sponsored investigation conducted in the 1980s into a child sex abuse scandal at Kincora Boys' Home in east Belfast.