HISTORICAL abuse survivors have accused the north's politicians of putting their own needs before victims as they continue to wait for financial payments promised in a landmark report.
Victims have warned that many have been left suicidal or facing financial ruin as the current Stormont impasse means that the findings and recommendations of a four-year inquiry into state and church abuse have still not been presented to the assembly.
The report, published in January, promised victims state-backed compensation payments of up to £100,000.
However, the collapse of power-sharing has meant the inquiry's recommendations have not been implemented.
"We are ashamed of our government for not getting itself together and not looking after the most vulnerable in society," said Margaret McGuckin, of the campaign group Survivors & Victims of Institutional Abuse (SAVIA).
"Many of our people are just going to pass away before this is addressed, or just give up. Many are in a suicidal state. Many have been left in debt buying things on credit on the understanding they were to be compensated.
"We are trying to lift each other up. We built up their hopes with this inquiry and now they are just shattered."
Secretary of State James Brokenshire recently admitted in a letter to DUP MLA Alex Easton that the implementation of the recommendations was not likely to happen soon.
He said as the report was commissioned by Stormont's first and deputy first ministers in 2012, they were obliged to lay the report in the Assembly.
"Given the current political situation in Northern Ireland, this is not likely to be imminently possible," he said.
