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Assembly committee to get update on abuse inquiries NI abuse inquiries: Assembly committee to hear evidence
(35 minutes later)
The assembly's health committee will hear evidence from those leading inquiries into the abuse of young people in Northern Ireland.The assembly's health committee will hear evidence from those leading inquiries into the abuse of young people in Northern Ireland.
The inquiries were launched in September after it was revealed that police had identified a group of 22 young people - aged between 13 and 18 - that may have been abused.The inquiries were launched in September after it was revealed that police had identified a group of 22 young people - aged between 13 and 18 - that may have been abused.
Of the 22 cases under examination, 18 involved children in the care system.Of the 22 cases under examination, 18 involved children in the care system.
They had been recorded as missing a total of 437 times.They had been recorded as missing a total of 437 times.
More than 30 arrests have been made as part of the police investigation.More than 30 arrests have been made as part of the police investigation.
The question being asked in the two inquiries is whether enough was done to protect children in care who were sexually exploited.The question being asked in the two inquiries is whether enough was done to protect children in care who were sexually exploited.
The former children's commissioner for Scotland, Kathleen Marshall, is looking at the extent of the problem and what needs to be done to protect young people.The former children's commissioner for Scotland, Kathleen Marshall, is looking at the extent of the problem and what needs to be done to protect young people.
The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) will look at exactly what happened to the victims, and what systems were in place at the time to protect them.The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) will look at exactly what happened to the victims, and what systems were in place at the time to protect them.
When the inquiries were announced, the children's charity Barnardo's said young people in Northern Ireland were let down by the system.When the inquiries were announced, the children's charity Barnardo's said young people in Northern Ireland were let down by the system.
They published a report two years ago highlighting the problems of young people being sexually exploited.They published a report two years ago highlighting the problems of young people being sexually exploited.
In September, the chair of Stormont's health committee, Maeve McLaughlin, said the health minister should take responsibility for not acting on the 2011 Barnardo's report, but Edwin Poots accused her of "misinformation".In September, the chair of Stormont's health committee, Maeve McLaughlin, said the health minister should take responsibility for not acting on the 2011 Barnardo's report, but Edwin Poots accused her of "misinformation".
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He defended his department and said action had been taken to help vulnerable young people.He defended his department and said action had been taken to help vulnerable young people.
So far, those heading the inquiries do not think there is organised exploitation or a paedophile ring operating in Northern Ireland, but they have not ruled out a connection between the young people or the perpetrators in the some of the cases.So far, those heading the inquiries do not think there is organised exploitation or a paedophile ring operating in Northern Ireland, but they have not ruled out a connection between the young people or the perpetrators in the some of the cases.
Although 22 is the number of confirmed victims, the health committee was told back in September that the real figure is likely to be much higher.Although 22 is the number of confirmed victims, the health committee was told back in September that the real figure is likely to be much higher.
The SBNI said all 22 victims were in care at the time, but there are many other young people living in their own homes who have also been drawn into the exploitation inquiry.The SBNI said all 22 victims were in care at the time, but there are many other young people living in their own homes who have also been drawn into the exploitation inquiry.
A number of questions are being posed to the public, in a drive to get more information for the police inquiry, including:A number of questions are being posed to the public, in a drive to get more information for the police inquiry, including:
Those questions apply to hotels and guesthouses as well.Those questions apply to hotels and guesthouses as well.
The rest of the hearing on Wednesday will look at the parameters of both inquiries, which should be completed late next year.The rest of the hearing on Wednesday will look at the parameters of both inquiries, which should be completed late next year.