Background to the Research

• The Secretary of State for NI announced the setting up of the Commission on 24th October 1997. It was to consider the impact of the violence in NI on victims and to consider ways in which to remember those killed in the troubles.
  

Research Approach

• The setting up of the Commission was advertised through local and national press, with people encouraged to submit their views. The Commissioner also engaged in consultation with various political and Church leaders, statutory, voluntary and community-based organisations and agencies, and also with the armed services, police, prison, ambulance and fire services. He also held meetings with victims in a series of meetings throughout NI, and also in GB, and the Irish Republic, and looked at examples offered by American, Spanish, Israeli and South African experiences at creating a memorial.
  

Main Findings

Who Are The Victims?

• According to the 'Costs of the Troubles Study', between 1967 and 1997, 3585 people had been killed in NI through troubles-related violence. 91% were male, 37% were under 24 years of age, 53% were under 29, and 4% were under 39. 53% were civilians, 28.8% were in the security forces, 12.5% were republican paramilitaries and just over 3% were loyalist paramilitaries. More Catholics have died than Protestants. 87% of deaths were caused by paramilitaries, 11% by security forces. The death toll has been 'particularly high' in North and West Belfast, Londonderry and South Armagh.
• 119 people in GB died as a result of the troubles, and people have also been killed in the Irish Republic and continental Europe.
• Around 40-50,000 people have been injured.

Recognition By Way Of Practical Help

• Criminal Injuries Compensation in NI varies from GB in that there is no cap on the amount of the award and it is governed by common law principles.
• It is estimated that victims of terrorist violence have received £186 million.
• Compensation for 'nervous shock' depends on certain conditions being fulfilled, such as the fact that the victim has to develop a 'serious and disabling mental disorder', be in close proximity to the incident and the level of damages awarded would be at least £2500. This can appear harsh and arbitrary.
• There is also a problem when it comes to the question of whether the conduct or character of the victim should be taken into account, as it presently is.
• Although the scheme is generous in comparison with that of GB or continental Europe, it is not always regarded as fair by those who claim under it. One contentious point noted by the Commissioner is that the award depends on the loss of 'maintenance' for the victim's family, thereby giving more compensation to the family of a man with a better job. However, the Commissioner notes that such a scheme can never be universally accepted, although he does say that a review of the current procedure is needed.
• Employers, especially State employers, should take into account the special needs of some victims, including the responsibility of caring for seriously injured family members.
• Public expenditure in NI needs to appreciate the fact that many of the victims do not live in areas of multiple deprivation.
• There is a need for support in the immediate aftermath of an incident. In case of physical damage to property, the NIHE gives practical advice and emergency aid.
• Long-term support is also required. The Commissioner recommends the implementation of the recommendations of the report 'Living with the Trauma of the Troubles'. It also states that any support should only be offered, not forced, and that it should be available locally.
• There needs to be a stronger lobby for victim's rights and also a better receiving point for complaints, such as a 'Standing Commissioner for the Protection of Victims' or an 'Ombudsman for Victims'.
• Current structures in place for dealing with pain, such as that suffered by amputees are inadequate. Giving pain a higher priority and conducting more research can improve these. Also, the treatment of trauma patients needs to be improved, especially for children.
• For some victims, issues of truth and justice are more important then memorials, especially where they feel that there has been a cover-up by the State. There is a suggestion that an NI version of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Committee be set up. However, this can only happen with "wide-ranging political accord".
• Victims felt that they were not kept advised of police attempts to catch the perpetrators of the violence, or of issues such as their release from prison. The NI Office's Code of Practice for Victims of Crime is geared towards addressing some of these concerns.
• The positions of the families of the 'disappeared', exiles and the displaced need to be addressed.

Recognition by Way of Memorial Schemes

• Existing memorial schemes include various trusts which aim to improve community relations.
• There should be the creation of an archive or record of the dead and their stories.
• Focus should be placed on initiatives aimed towards young people.
• Mutual understanding projects should take place in GB.
• Other suggestions include a civic recognition of NI for the suffering and endurance of its people, and religious prayers made in a 'spirit of reconciliation'.

Possible Schemes of Physical Memorial

• Suggestions include a memorial of public utility, a memorial National Park, and a forest or garden.
• Any built memorial would have to take into account the tone and message of the monument, the need for something which could not be defaced, the fact that the victims come from all communities, and indeed from outside NI, and the need to avoid a sense of "triumphalism" by, for example, avoiding naming all those who have been killed. Location is also an important factor.