The Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed that a specialist team of officers has so far spoken to 11 victims of historical sexual abuse in Fermanagh. That number is set to rise.
The latest development comes as a major investigation by this newspaper examining historical child sex abuse in Fermanagh continues. 
The series began over two months ago and has included powerful and moving accounts by sex abuse victims. 
Many of the victims who have approached this newspaper with their stories have never got justice and in many cases the alleged abusers still walk the streets in towns and villages across this county. 
In a statement issued yesterday, a PSNI spokeswoman confirmed: “To date we have spoken with 11 victims relating to historical sexual abuse cases in the Fermanagh area.”
“We are currently reviewing historical reports made to us but that will take time,” she said. 
Child sex abuser David Sullivan whose body was found buried in a bog near Belcoo almost 20 years ago was first revealed as a paedophile by this newspaper after a brave victim came forward to tell how he had been abused by the former bus driver for several years. Since then a number of his other victims have shared their stories. Northern Ireland newspaper Sunday Life claimed that Sullivan, who was part of a suspected paedophile ring with businessmen and professional people in Enniskillen, may have abused over 400 children in Fermanagh.
Asked to clarify this figure, the PSNI spokeswoman said yesterday: “Whilst we cannot provide a definitive figure for how many victims this may involve at this stage of the investigation, our initial enquiries would not support this number.”
As a result of the articles in this newspaper the PSNI over the past two months has set up a special team of detectives to investigate historical sexual abuse and a dedicated e-mail address for victims. 
Detective Chief Superintendent Paula Hilman said: “I can’t even begin to imagine how tough it must be for someone to report historical sexual abuse whether you are reporting this for the first time or have previously spoken with police, but if you are a victim please come forward and speak with us.”
Speaking directly to victims, she said; “We treat every allegation of sexual abuse seriously and whilst we know it may be very difficult to do, please be assured that we will make it as easy as possible for you.  You do not have to come to a police station. 
“Our detectives work in plain clothes and do not require victims to come into a police station to make a report. 
“You can report  directly to the police via 101 or through a dedicated email address at historicalabuse@psni.pnn.police.uk and we will arrange to meet at a time and place that best suits you. I can assure you that you will be treated with the utmost sensitivity, care and respect. 
“If you are a victim please don’t suffer in silence, come and speak to us,” she said.