Church sexual abuse survivors 'disheartened' at lack of decision on public inquiry

Nikella Holmes, who is a survivor of abuse, wants a public inquiry

Survivors of sexual abuse in churches in Northern Ireland have written to the first and deputy first ministers to say there is an "emerging crisis of confidence" in Stormont's handling of the matter.

They said they are frustrated that no decisions have yet been taken to follow up on research which was completed earlier this year.

Three reports were commissioned by the Northern Ireland Executive to help decide if there should be a public inquiry.

But a number of months on, the reports have not been published.

Three reports were commissioned by the Stormont Executive earlier this year to help decide if there should be a public inquiry

Survivors are frustrated by the delay, and said the recent revelations about the Presbyterian Church underlines the importance of a public inquiry.

One piece of research gathered the stories of survivors of abuse in what are termed "faith settings" – which can include churches, schools and other places where clergy and leaders in religious organisations abused children.

Another report focused on historical records – and a third examined safeguarding policies and practices in the faith sector.

Survivors in the reference group for a cross-departmental consultation body have written the letter to the First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

They have asked for all the recommendations in the research reports to be implemented "without further delay" by the ministers' department, the Executive Office.

'Political leadership appears absent'

In the letter they said they are "frustrated that no decisions have yet been taken by you on the implementation of the recommendations, provided to you in July 2025, which have been endorsed by survivors and all involved in the process".

It adds that survivors are questioning "why political leadership appears absent at the highest level – all whilst abuse continues to be uncovered in our churches."

One of the signatories is Nikella Holmes, who has been amongst the campaigners for a public inquiry.

She was abused by a youth leader at her former church, Gary Thompson, who was jailed last year.

"People were asked by the executive office to tell their stories for the research, and they have taken the courageous step to do that," she told BBC News NI.

"But now we have no way forward, we don't know what's happening next, and we don't even have a timeline for decisions.

"It's really disheartening, and it feels like we as survivors have been left behind."

Survivors are 'livid'

Abuse survivor Tony Gribben said people engaged with the project "in good faith"

She said the recent revelations about safeguarding failings in Northern Ireland's biggest Protestant denomination, the Presbyterian Church, showed how "current" the issues were, and that they were "not historical".

She said that the recommendations in the research projects would "make churches safer" and should be acted upon.

Tony Gribben, who was abused by the Catholic priest Father Malachy Finnegan, said it would be an "understatement" to describe the mood of survivors as "livid" with regard to the absence of decisions at this stage.

He is the founder of the Dromore Group, which has been engaged in the process since 2021.

Mr Gribben said: "The Dromore Group survivors joined the Stormont clerical sexual abuse project in good faith, and with an objective that no other child should have to go through the same pain and stress that they continue to deal with.

"A failure by Stormont to follow up on the recommendations submitted to them by the independent researchers generates exponential risk for the next generation of children."

A spokesperson for the Executive Office said: "Ministers have met with the Chair of the Interdepartmental Working Group to discuss the reports and are continuing to consider the findings of the research projects.

"Junior Ministers have engaged with victims and survivors to hear their stories and their views."

The Alliance Party MLA Paula Bradshaw said the Assembly's Executive Office Committee, which she chairs, has agreed to write to the department to ask for clarity on next steps.

"I have been raising the issue of needing urgency around this research continually," she said.