Encyclopedia > Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse
The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is one of a range of measures introduced by the Irish Government to address the effects of abuse in childhood on the victims. It is generally known in Ireland as "the Ryan Commission" (previously "the Laffoy Commission"), after its presiding judge.
It was first established on an administrative basis in May 1999, under Judge Mary Laffoy. The first objective set for the Commission was to consider the broad terms of reference then provided to it, determine if these needed refining and recommend to Government the powers and protections it would need to do its work effectively. The Commission reported to the Government in September and October, 1999. The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act, 2000 (the Act) was enacted on 26th April 2000[1]. The legislation follows closely the recommendations in the reports of the non-statutory Commission.
The Statutory Commission established under the Act has three primary functions:-
to listen to victims of childhood abuse who want to recount their experiences to a sympathetic forum;
to fully investigate all allegations of abuse made to it, except where the victim does not wish for an investigation and
to publish a report on its findings to the general public.
This is a forum where the experiences of victims of abuse will be given a sympathetic hearing and where victims may, in addition, have their experiences inquiredinto and those responsible held accountable.
In the case of a person who suffered sexual abuse and who was advised that his or her claims were statute barred, provision was made for a special one year period, from June 2000 to June of this year, to allow him or her to commence actions against his or her abusers.
Finally, one of the functions laid down in the Commission to InquireintoChildAbuse Act, 2000, requires the commission to advise the Government on the actions that may be taken to alleviate the damage suffered by persons who were abused in childhood.
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