Survey

The Commission will carry out a survey in Autumn 2026. The survey is an important first step in our work. It will gather initial information from people who have experience or knowledge related to the Commission’s Terms of Reference.

The information you share will help us understand what happened and shape the next steps of our work. A detailed participation guide will be available when the survey is launched in Autumn 2026.

The survey will help the Commission to:

• Gather information from people who want to engage with the Commission
• Understand experiences, themes and patterns
• Decide where to focus the next stages of the Investigation
• Identify people who may wish to engage further, including through the Survivor Engagement Programme

Taking part in the survey does not mean that your individual experience will be investigated. However, all responses will help shape the Commission’s work.

We would like to hear from people in three main groups:

Survivors

People who were sexually abused as children in a school, or in connection with a school, between 1927 and 2013.

Family Members

A family member of someone who experienced childhood sexual abuse in a school, or in connection with a school between 1927 and 2013, where that person is deceased or cannot be supported to take part themselves.

Other People with Relevant Knowledge

People who witnessed sexual abuse, had concerns of sexual abuse, or were involved in reporting concerns about sexual abuse of children in schools, where that abuse took place between 1927 and 2013.

The survey is organised into three streams, based on the groups above:

• Stream A: Survivor
• Stream B: Family Member
• Stream C: Other People with Relevant Knowledge

You will be guided to the section that best fits your experience, and you will only be asked questions that are relevant to you.

The survey includes questions which look for the following information:

• Your name, contact details and contact preferences (this information is required to complete the survey)

• Your reason for completing the survey (for example, survivor, family member, or other)

• The school in question (name and location of school)

• The approximate timeframe when the abuse happened (for example early, mid or late 1970s)

• The person or people responsible for the abuse (for example, their name and their connection to the school – these questions are optional)

• The reporting of concerns or complaints (if the abuse was reported and to whom)

• Whether you would like to be contacted about further participation (for example in the Survivor Engagement Programme, or to provide additional information)

Please note that this survey cannot be completed anonymously. This is to help us to understand people’s experiences, to ensure responses are not duplicated and to allow us to follow up where appropriate. We understand the sensitive nature of this topic and will handle all information with care, respect, and confidentiality.

You will have the option to indicate that you do not wish to have any follow-up contact after the survey, or to indicate that you would be interested in taking part in further stages of the Commission’s work.

The survey will be available:

• Online through this website
• Paper version (available on request)
• By phone or video call via an appointment with our Participation Support Service

More details on how to access each option will be provided before the survey opens.

If you decide to take part, it may help to choose a quiet, comfortable space where you can complete the survey without interruption.

You can complete the survey using any device that suits you, such as a mobile phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. The survey will be available through an open web link. You will not need to create an account or set up a password to take part, but you will need to have an email address. An email address is not required, however, if you submit a paper version.

As you complete the survey, your answers will be saved automatically, as long as you are using the same device and browser. This means you can take a break and return to the survey later without losing your progress. However, if you are using a shared computer or device this will not be possible, as you will need to close the survey to protect your information. 

When you have finished, you must select ‘Submit survey’ to send your responses to the Commission. Until you do this, your survey will not be submitted. Once you submit your survey, you will receive an email confirming that it has been successfully submitted.

At the start of the survey, you will have the option to adjust accessibility settings to suit your needs. These include:

• Increasing the text size
• Having the questions read aloud
• Viewing the survey in Irish Sign Language (ISL)

If you need any assistance, support is available through the Participation Support Service.

The Commission is aware that sharing your experience through the survey may be difficult. We want to reassure anyone who is considering taking part that the survey has been prepared with the needs of survivors at the forefront. A key principle is that we only ask for information needed at this time to progress the work of the Commission.

We have worked closely with survivors and with experts in trauma‑informed practice to ensure that the survey reflects survivor‑centred principles, including safety, confidentiality, respect and inclusivity. The survey has been tested by a group of survivors, supported by One in Four, to ensure that it is safe, accessible and responsive to the needs of survivors, insofar as possible.

We have also consulted with the Central Statistics Office, whose experience in conducting surveys on sensitive topics has been very helpful, and the Data Protection Commission.

We want you to know the following before you begin:

• Taking part is voluntary.
• You can change your mind at any time.
• You can take a break and come back to it later.
• Support is available if you need it.

After the survey closes, the Commission will take a number of steps, including the following:

• Responses will be reviewed and analysed. The information will help guide the Commission’s Investigation.
• Those who indicated that they want to take part in the Survivor Engagement Programme will be contacted with further details.
• Some people may also be asked to provide additional information to the Investigation, if they have indicated that they are willing to be contacted for that purpose.

We will keep you updated on the survey in the following ways:

• By updating this page of the website with the survey opening date, which will be in Autumn 2026.
• By updating this page of the website with the link to the survey.
• By providing information on how to request a paper or phone option.
• By running a public information campaign (including advertisements in newspapers and on radio) which will also let people know when the survey is open.