Your testimony can help the Independent Panel to understand what happened to you, or your loved one, while in a Mother and Baby Institution, Magdalene Laundry or Workhouse in Northern Ireland, or through their pathways and practices.
If you worked or volunteered with one of these institutions, your testimony can help the Independent Panel to understand how they operated and what practices they used.
We cannot change what happened in the past, but your experience will assist the Independent Panel to develop a set of recommendations for the future Public Inquiry, which will help educate the public on what happened and what can be done to prevent any wrongdoing from happening again.
When you are ready to share your testimony, our trained Testimony Facilitators will talk to you about the options for giving testimony and how we protect your confidentiality. They will go through our Consent Form and Participant Information Sheet with you so you know what you can expect from the Independent Panel.
You choose how, when and where you will give your testimony. This can be face-to-face, online or a written document. You choose how your testimony will be used, for example would you like it to be included in the Independent Panel’s final report.
You will always be listened to with empathy and acceptance, without challenge. Your testimony will be recorded truthfully.
The final date to register to provide testimony to the Independent Panel is Thursday 1 May 2025.
Trauma Informed Guiding Principles
The Independent Panel will be guided by the following trauma informed principles:
- Provide a safe and supportive space for you to give your testimony when and how you choose.
- Commitment to protect your privacy.
- Provide the support needed to ensure everyone who would like to share their testimony with the us can do so.
- Offer the opportunity to access support provided by the Victims and Survivors Service (‘VSS’) and their community partners (WAVE and Adopt NI) before, during or after you share your testimony.
The Independent Panel works closely with the dedicated team in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to report any allegations of abuse and / or illegal activity.
Our Voices Must Be Heard
Hear from Adele Johnstone (a Birth Mother and child, now adult, adoptee) on her lived experience and the importance of sharing your experience with the Independent Panel to ensure your voice is heard in the journey to find the truth.
Hear From Our Victim-Survivor Representatives
Hear from our Victim-Survivor Representatives on the Independent Panel Maria Cogley and Paul McClarey on their lived experiences, perspectives on the testimony process and advice to anyone considering sharing their testimony with the Independent Panel.