7 Jun 2013

Abuse inquiry calls for NZ victims to come foward

2:23 pm on 7 June 2013

A child abuse inquiry in Northern Ireland is calling for victims living in New Zealand to come forward.

The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry wants to hear from victims of child abuse in institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995.

It is offering to pay the travel expenses of survivors to fly to Belfast and give their evidence in person.

The inquiry's secretary, Andrew Browne, says 112 survivors are thought to be living in Australia and there may well be others in New Zealand.

He says they would also like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed abuse or neglect.

Mr Browne says the inquiry will listen to survivors sympathetically, and their evidence may help prevent future abuse.