BackThe Police Ombudsman, Mrs Marie Anderson, has written to the former residents of Kincora Boys’ Home who had made complaints to her Office about failures by police to adequately respond to complaints of sexual abuse which occurred within the Home.
The Police Ombudsman received seven complaints on behalf of former residents about the failure of police to investigate complaints of sexual abuse that had been made to the police. Based on the available evidence and other information, the Police Ombudsman is of the view that a number of the complaints made to her Office by former residents of Kincora Boys’ Home are legitimate and justified.
The Ombudsman has identified that former police officers failed in their duty to the victims of Kincora because they did not act on the information provided to them during the 1973-1976 period. The Ombudsman has also identified systemic failings which prevented police from being aware of complaints of sexual abuse at Kincora Boys’ Home which had been made to the Belfast Welfare Authority and the former Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB).
Mrs Anderson said: “The boys who were sent to Kincora were vulnerable children. They were placed in the care of the state where they ought to have been safe and protected. The evidence identified by my investigation and previous reviews and inquiries demonstrates that this was not the case.
“When boys complained about the abuse they experienced there is evidence that their accounts were ignored or not taken seriously or were not adequately investigated by the Belfast Welfare Authority or the EHSSB. Complaints were not referred to the police.
“I have identified systemic failings and a convoluted complaints system which resulted in police not being aware of all instances of sexual abuse at Kincora Boys’ Home. However, I have also identified occasions when police officers did not act appropriately on the information that had been provided to them and intelligence they had received.
“Nothing can undo the trauma caused by the sexual abuse experienced by these boys but I hope that this independent investigation into the conduct of former police officers can bring some measure of resolution to the victims and their families.”
Please find the full press release and the report at Police Ombudsman Media Releases, PSNI Ombudsman Press Releases - Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.
Source: Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
