Abuse at historical clerical institutions unveiled in long-awaited report

Experiences of those abused in faith settings have been unveiled in a long-awaited report.

It includes accounts of sexual, physical, spiritual, and/or emotional abuse between 1922 and 2024, from 37 victims/survivors abused in both Catholic Church-run settings as well some associated with Protestant churches.

In some cases, recorded religious rituals were used to abuse children, including “exorcising demons” by “laying on of hands” on intimate parts of a girl’s body, and a priest using the sacrament of confession to coerce a boy to stimulate his sexual pleasure by pressing his head close to the priest’s groin.

A culture of violence in schools was also described, with one person who took part in the report recalling witnessing a “fist on the back of the head” and a “desk breaking in two”.

Meanwhile, another participant in the report described how a pastor who was “very much into demon culture” and “deliverance” beating them so badly they believe they had broken ribs.

Some revealed how their trauma was re-awakened years later by seeing the perpetrator in the community, prompting the memories to come flooding back leaving them feeling distressed.

The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIAI) revealed sexual, physical and emotional abuse in religious and secular institutions from 1922 to 1995.

However, it prompted further work to examine the extent of Historical Clerical Child Abuse, as well as Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene institutions.

While the clerical child abuse report was finished in 2025, it was not published by the Executive Office until Wednesday – along with research reports into safeguarding and a review of records held.

The Executive Office said the reports’ findings will help shape future policy and support ongoing work to ensure victims and survivors receive the support they need and that lessons continue to be learned.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill paid tribute to the “tremendous courage” of victims and survivors sharing their experiences.

“These reports remind us of our duty to listen and to keep the voices of those affected at the heart of our response,” she said.

“We are committed to ensuring that every victim and survivor receives the care, compassion and support they need, and work is already under way to provide counselling and specialist support services.

“Whilst we cannot undo the harm of the past, we will listen, learn and take steps to protect children and prevent abuse in faith settings.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: “The victims and survivors of historical clerical child abuse endured so much and it is vital we listen to their lived experience and do everything we can to ensure what happened in these settings cannot happen again.

“The reports acknowledge the significant improvements in safeguarding arrangements within faith settings. We welcome those improvements, however we know there is still much more that can be done.

“We are committed to working closely with Executive colleagues, statutory partners, safeguarding bodies, victims and survivors and faith organisations to ensure that our children and young people are protected now and in the future.”