Welcome to the website for the Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse

12 August 2025

Welcome to the website for the Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse

This is your space to be heard, to connect, and to ensure your experiences inform Ireland’s path forward. We stand ready to amplify your voice and bring your perspectives directly to government.

Patricia Carey is the Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse

Patricia was appointed to the role in March 2024 by the Irish Government.

In this role, Patricia’s focus is to ensure a strong and amplified voice for those affected by institutional abuse and forced family separation.

Learn More About the Special Advocate

 

Who does the Special Advocate engage with?

As the Special Advocate, Patricia’s most important engagements are directly with Survivors and Affected Persons that have experienced non-recent institutional abuse and forced family separation. This includes people living in Ireland and abroad.

Her remit covers people who have spent time in the following categories:

 

Magdalene Laundries

 

 

Industrial School and Reformatory Institutions

 

 

Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions

 

 

People who were adopted, illegally trafficked, boarded or fostered out

 

 

People who were the subject of an illegal birth registration

 

 

Those resident in other institutions related to Ireland’s network of mother and baby institutions & system of forced family separation

 

As Special Advocate, Patricia also engages with many other stakeholders including: service providers and support organisations working directly with Survivors, government departments and state agencies, advocates, international experts and academics.

Click the button below to read more about the work of the Special Advocate.

Learn More About Our Work

 

What information can I find on this website

The Special Advocate team have developed this website to function as an useful, informative, and easy-to-access online space for Survivors and Affected Persons, their families, as well as support organisations who assist them.

The website includes information about the work of the Special Advocate for Survivors, the key issues being raised by Survivors as well as information on available supports, resources and upcoming projects and events, and resources.

Find out more by exploring the website under the sections below.

 

About Us

Learn more about the role of the Special Advocate and the priorities of the Special Advocate team

 

 

Our Work

Learn more about our engagements with Survivors and Affected Persons and the key issues being raised with the Special Advocate.

 

 

Information for Survivors

Explore this section to learn more about Records, Redress, Supports for Survivors here.

 

 

Projects and Events

Find out more about current projects and upcoming events

 

 

Resources

Explore our Resources

 

 

Annual Report

Read the Special Advocate’s Annual Report

 

 

Subscribe to our Mailing List and Newsletter

Click the button below to subscribe to our Mailing List and Newsletter.

Sign up to our Newsletter

 

Special Advocate

Contact Details

Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse
First Floor, Holbrook House
Holles Street, Dublin 2, D02 EY84,
Ireland

info@specialadvocate.ie
+353 (0)1 511 7660

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday : 0900 – 1700

 

About Us

 

 

Our Work