More than 175 people have so far asked to recount their experiences to a state inquiry investigating historical institutional child abuse in Northern Ireland.
With the inquiry team examining alleged mistreatment in residential facilities over a period of almost 75 years, it believes more potential victims will come forward.
Inquiry chairman and retired judge Sir Anthony Hart will today launch a renewed appeal and associated advertising campaign urging those affected by abuse to make contact, with the reassurance that their stories will be listened to.
The statutory probe will focus on institutions run by the state and church and also those owned by the private sector or voluntary bodies from 1922 to 1995.
To date the inquiry has identified more than 170 relevant facilities that operated during the time-period - these include children’s homes, orphanages, industrial schools, workhouses, borstals, hospital units and schools for children with disabilities.
The inquiry’s remit does not cover mainstream primary or secondary schools or allegations of clerical abuse committed outside of residential facilities.
While Magdalene-style workhouses for girls and women - similar to those that operated in the Republic of Ireland - are covered by the terms of the investigation, it can only examine the claims of those who were under 18 at the time of their stay.
The state inquiry was set up by the Northern Ireland Executive in the wake of a series of damning probes in the Republic of Ireland, which uncovered a shocking litany of abuse in facilities run by the Catholic Church.
The investigation north of the border, which is estimated to cost between £15 and £19 million and must report by January 2016, was formally established under law last month.
It is currently engaged in preparatory work ahead of the first anticipated public hearings at the end of this year.
The awareness raising campaign will include adverts on 80 bus shelters throughout Northern Ireland and the distribution of posters and leaflets. Promotional activity will also be extended to the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Almost a quarter of the people who have applied to take part in the inquiry to date currently live outside of Northern Ireland.
A total of 175 had applied as of last week, with a number of further applications having been received since then. The experiences of five of those people related to institutions that did not fall under the inquiry’s remit.
Those who have come forward will first be invited to recount their experiences in a so-called acknowledgement forum, which is designed to provide a relaxed and private environment for people to unburden themselves.
Of the applicants to date, almost 90 have already gone through the forum process.
If they so wish, people can then go forward to give evidence before lawyers at one of the inquiry’s hearings.
Around 80% of those interviewed by the forum panel have indicated a willingness to participate in the hearing element.
Ahead of the launch of the awareness campaign at a presentation by Sir Anthony at the Ramada Encore in Belfast, a spokeswoman for the inquiry said: “Sir Anthony wishes to ensure that as many victims and survivors as possible are made aware of the existence of the inquiry, and of the steps which the inquiry is taking to try to address the fears of those who may be worried about lifting the telephone to talk to the inquiry.
“The inquiry appreciates that, for many victims and survivors, recounting their experiences can be very painful and traumatic. We hope that today’s presentation and our promotional campaign will encourage potential witnesses to come forward.”
Application forms can be downloaded from the website www.hiainquiry.org or requested by calling the inquiry’s helpline on Freephone 0800 068 4935.
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