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Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry: 130 children from Northern Ireland sent as child migrants to Australia Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry: 130 NI children sent to Australia
(35 minutes later)
One hundred and thirty children from Northern Ireland, some as young as five, were sent to Australia as child migrants, an inquiry has heard.One hundred and thirty children from Northern Ireland, some as young as five, were sent to Australia as child migrants, an inquiry has heard.
The experiences of 50 of them will be heard by the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIA) either by oral or written evidence.The experiences of 50 of them will be heard by the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIA) either by oral or written evidence.
It is examining the extent of child abuse in religious and state-run institutions in NI from 1922 to 1995.It is examining the extent of child abuse in religious and state-run institutions in NI from 1922 to 1995.
A team from the inquiry has already made two trips to Australia.A team from the inquiry has already made two trips to Australia.
HIA Chairman Sir Anthony Hart said his staff had made the trip for two reasons - to enable those who lived there the same opportunity to describe their experiences and to allow the HIA's legal team to gather a considerable amount of information from their witness statements. HIA chairman Sir Anthony Hart said his staff had made the trip for two reasons - to enable those who lived there to have the same opportunity to describe their experiences as others, and to allow the HIA's legal team to gather a considerable amount of information from their witness statements.
The majority of witnesses for the migration scheme will provide their evidence via video-link over a three-week period.The majority of witnesses for the migration scheme will provide their evidence via video-link over a three-week period.
The inquiry heard that the children who were in the care of voluntary institutions or state bodies in Northern Ireland were sent to Australia between 1922 and 1995. Senior counsel to the Inquiry, Christine Smith QC, said it was her understanding that the HIA Inquiry was the first to consider child migration from any part of the UK to Australia.
She told the inquiry, sitting in Banbridge, County Down, that many of those the inquiry had spoken to had lost all contact with their parents and siblings.
She said for some, they had been reunited with their families in later life, but for others, it was "too late" - their parents had either died or the reunions were "unsuccessful".
She said the inquiry would hear about the "impact" of child migration on their lives.
The Inquiry heard that the children who were in the care of voluntary institutions or state bodies in Northern Ireland were sent to Australia between 1922 and 1995.
'Severe hardship''Severe hardship'
Sir Anthony said some of the children had little recollection of their time in Northern Ireland or the circumstances surrounding their travel to Australia because at time some were aged eight or under. Sir Anthony said some of the children had little recollection of their time in Northern Ireland or the circumstances surrounding their travel to Australia because at the time some were aged eight or under.
Because many of the witnesses are now retired, the HIA decided, because of logistical and other difficulties, to hear their evidence via a live link.Because many of the witnesses are now retired, the HIA decided, because of logistical and other difficulties, to hear their evidence via a live link.
The chairman said it would become clear during their evidence that many had suffered severe hardship and "grave" sexual and physical abuse in the institutions to which they were sent in Australia.The chairman said it would become clear during their evidence that many had suffered severe hardship and "grave" sexual and physical abuse in the institutions to which they were sent in Australia.
Sir Anthony said although the HIA inquiry did not have the power to investigate the abuse they had suffered in institutions outside of Northern Ireland, he said their experiences would not be "swept under the carpet". Sir Anthony said although the HIA inquiry did not have the power to investigate the abuse they had suffered in institutions outside Northern Ireland, he said their experiences would not be "swept under the carpet".
Personal accountsPersonal accounts
"I want to assure them that will not be the case," he said."I want to assure them that will not be the case," he said.
"Their evidence will be given in public, either in person or through their statements, and all of the evidence will be published on our inquiry website."Their evidence will be given in public, either in person or through their statements, and all of the evidence will be published on our inquiry website.
"Those who wish to familiarise themselves with these accounts will be able to do so, whether they live in Australia or elsewhere."Those who wish to familiarise themselves with these accounts will be able to do so, whether they live in Australia or elsewhere.
"In addition, at the conclusion of this module arrangements will be made to furnish these statements to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse which is presently carrying on its work in Australia."In addition, at the conclusion of this module arrangements will be made to furnish these statements to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse which is presently carrying on its work in Australia.
"That will ensure that these matters are drawn to its attention.""That will ensure that these matters are drawn to its attention."
The HIA is the biggest ever public inquiry into child abuse ever held in the UK and is investigating claims of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as childhood neglect. The HIA is the biggest public inquiry into child abuse ever held in the UK and is investigating claims of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as childhood neglect.
More than 300 witnesses are taking part, including former residents who claim they were abused as children, the people who ran the institutions, health and social care officials and government representatives.More than 300 witnesses are taking part, including former residents who claim they were abused as children, the people who ran the institutions, health and social care officials and government representatives.
A total of 13 care homes and borstals in Northern Ireland are currently under investigation.A total of 13 care homes and borstals in Northern Ireland are currently under investigation.