Welcome to the second edition of our newsletter.

Over recent months, I have had the opportunity to meet with victims and survivors, representative organisations, policymakers, academics, and partners across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Westminster. The settings may vary, but the message is consistent — victims and survivors want to be heard, to be involved, and to know that their needs remain central to decisions that affect their lives.

The Commission for Victims and Survivors exist to promote and safeguard the interests of those affected by the Troubles/conflict. Our role is to provide independent, impartial advice, grounded in lived experience, evidence and genuine engagement.

During this period, our work has focused on strengthening relationships, advocating for sustainable support and keeping victims and survivors visible within ongoing policy, legacy and reconciliation discussions.

A recurring concern has been the future of support services. Through conversations with Ministers, Parliamentary and Assembly committees and statutory partners, the Commission has highlighted the very real consequences that funding uncertainty can have on people who depend on these services. For many, they are not optional extras — they are lifelines that underpin health, wellbeing and recovery.

Legacy issues continue to dominate conversations with victims and survivors. The legislative landscape remains dynamic in this area, and the Commission has been reviewing emerging amendments to ensure our advice to government is informed, evidence-based and reflective of the needs and priorities of those we represent. The Commission has also submitted evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee’s Inquiry into Reconciliation, recognising that reconciliation is a key component of addressing legacy issues, while also being a broader societal challenge that extends beyond the legacy framework. We will continue to engage with all relevant legislative and policy discussions as they evolve. 

Confidence in legacy processes has been eroded over many years, and there is considerable anxiety about new and emerging arrangements. As governments develop their approaches, it is vital that victims and survivors are not left to navigate complex systems on their own. Their voices, experiences and priorities must shape and inform these processes and remain central throughout.

The Commission has also extended its engagement beyond Northern Ireland, meeting with representatives from both the UK and Irish Governments including engaging with parliamentary. These discussions have underlined the importance of meaningful

cross-jurisdictional cooperation and ensuring that what victims and survivors raise directly is reflected in future frameworks and policy.

Another strand of work has focused on ensuring that experiences which have received limited recognition are not overlooked. This has included supporting discussions around acknowledgement for bereaved families and facilitating engagement on issues affecting former Reserve Police Officers. Through its statutory role, the Commission works to influence policy, advise government and advocate on behalf of victims and survivors. By raising issues, sharing evidence and amplifying lived experience, the Commission seeks to ensure that every individual’s experience is heard, recognised and given fair consideration.

We have also continued to build our relationships with the Victims and Survivors Forum, the wider sector, and research and academic partners — ensuring our advice draws on evidence, lived experience and a growing understanding of the long-term impacts of conflict, including intergenerational trauma.

Looking ahead, my commitment is unchanged: to listen carefully, engage widely and provide independent leadership that keeps victims and survivors at the heart of conversations about recovery, reconciliation and the future.

The challenges facing victims and survivors are real, complex and, in many cases, long-standing. But through continued collaboration, constructive dialogue and sustained advocacy, we can work towards ensuring that those who have carried the greatest burden of our past are heard, respected and supported.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to engage with the Commission over recent months. Your voices continue to shape and strengthen our work.

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