ABUSE survivors have called for an independent review after new research showed that no one has been prosecuted for alleged crimes arising from the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry.
Research published by Professor Patricia Lundy, of Ulster University, noted that of 77 criminal complaints passed on to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) following the landmark inquiry, "no prosecutions have resulted".
The academic said the research, which was based on Freedom of Information requests, showed the "HIA Inquiry referred 190 criminal complaints to the PSNI, from which 77 cases were reported to the PPS for consideration".
It is understood that the PPS is examining the research and believe there may have been some prosecutions although they are still compiling figures.
Prosecutors are thought to be liaising with police to clarify the exact number of cases.
The HIA inquiry, which published its report in January 2017, exposed serious sexual, physical and emotional abuse over decades at children's homes run by religious orders, charities and the state.
A spokesman for the PPS said only cases which have a "reasonable prospect of conviction in court" can proceed.
"Where a case does not meet our Test for Prosecution the complainant is provided with a detailed reasons letter and offered a meeting to discuss the decision," he said.
"They are also offered the opportunity to have the decision reviewed by another prosecutor.
“The prosecution of historical sexual abuse cases come with many challenges and we understand it is deeply disappointing when a victim is informed a case cannot proceed to court.
“That should not deter any victim from coming forward to report allegations to the police. Despite the challenges, the lapse of time is no barrier to pursuing a prosecution for a non-recent ordeal."
However, abuse survivors said they remain concerned by the level of prosecutions.
John Scappaticci, from St Patrick's Survivors group, said he was "full of anger, like the majority of members of our group".
"There is something seriously wrong with these figures," he said.
"I would call for an independent group to look into this."
Margaret McGuckin, of Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (Savia), said she had questions about the number of prosecutions.
"I have huge concerns," she said. "There needs to be a review of how these decisions were reached.
"Victims feel dismissed even further and it's just one thing after the other."
Kate Walmsley, also of Savia, suffered abuse at the hands of a priest and nuns at an institution run by the Sisters of Nazareth in Derry.
She said victims desperately want those responsible for abuse to be prosecuted.
"I did get redress from the Redress Board but it's not the same," she said.
"We want justice."
Solicitor Claire McKeegan, of Phoenix Law, who represents a majority of abuse survivors, said: "Over the course of the HIA inquiry hundreds of survivors went through the trauma of recounting the horrors of historical sexual abuse and physical and emotional violence and there is further frustration that so few of the perpetrators have been held to account through the judicial system".
