The public inquiry into Northern Ireland’s mother and baby homes has set a deadline for individuals to come forward and share their experiences before 1 May. Former residents of these homes, as well as those who worked in Magdalene laundries, are encouraged to register their interest in participating in the inquiry. Over 140 people have already provided personal testimonies to an independent panel of experts investigating the operations of these institutions. The panel is especially interested in hearing from individuals who have experience or information about Protestant-run homes in order to get a comprehensive understanding of the entire system.
The experts conducting the inquiry have assured that they have adopted a sensitive and trauma-informed approach, emphasizing that the process will be respectful and non-adversarial towards survivors. The final report from the panel is expected to be released later this year and will contribute to the upcoming public inquiry into the mother and baby homes. It is vital for the panel to gather information from a diverse range of sources to ensure a thorough investigation.
It is estimated that over 10,500 women were admitted to mother and baby institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1990. These institutions, run by religious, state, and charitable organizations, provided housing for pregnant women and girls who were unmarried. Additionally, around 3,500 women and girls were sent to laundries or industrial homes, where they were compelled to work without compensation. The recent independent investigation into these institutions, initiated by Stormont’s devolved government, aims to uncover the treatment of women and children within these facilities.
The Truth Recovery Independent Panel overseeing the investigation is also looking into the role of the homes in adoption and fostering, as well as the practice of cross-border adoption that resulted in babies being separ
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