Interdepartmental Working Group on Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and Historical Clerical Child Abuse (IDWG)
In February 2016, the NI Executive agreed to create an Interdepartmental Working Group to investigate Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and Historical Clerical Child Abuse.
The IDWG was required as these areas fell outside the terms of reference of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry.
Membership
The IDWG consists of representatives of seven of the nine NICS departments and was independently chaired. Its aims are set out in the Group’s Terms of Reference; It meets as and when required, but typically has met every three months. The IDWG, in recognition of the sensitivity of these investigations, has ensured they are trauma-informed and heard the victim and survivor voice via separate IDWG Reference Groups.
Investigation Historical Clerical Child Abuse
Research has been commissioned to examine the extent and systemic nature of Historical Clerical Child Abuse (HCCA) in Northern Ireland. The purpose of the research work is to enable the IDWG to provide informed, evidence-based recommendations to Ministers on any future action for an effective investigation into HCCA and possible remedies for victims. The research has been taken forward as three separate pieces of work.