Debate contribution: Historical Clerical Child Abuse: Next Steps

Debate contribution by Ms Aisling Reilly on 24 November 2025.

MLA: Ms Aisling Reilly
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 24 November 2025
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Historical Clerical Child Abuse: Next Steps
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5254138

Text

My thoughts are with every person who has lived through clerical child abuse. What they faced was horrific. The impact of that does not just disappear; it is with them every day. They should never have been put into that position or have faced that horrific abuse. As I said, I have had the chance to sit down with some of the victims and survivors, and I will be honest: the conversations were emotional and, at times, difficult, but I am grateful for their trust and for the time that they took to speak with me.
When you hear directly from victims and survivors, it reiterates the importance of how we handle this work going forward. As I said in my original answer, we are considering our next steps. We are still working our way through the reports with officials, and we will continue to engage with victims and survivors. Of course, we will bring any updates to Members.

159 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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