Judith Thompson Email and Phone Number

Judith’s commitment to promoting the interests of victims and survivors of conflict and trauma is based on more than 30 years working within justice organisations and in communities.A willingness to listen and ability to bring people together marked her tenure and played a critical role in shaping her advice to Government. Putting those who experienced harm at the centre of all the Commission’s work, Judith nurtured a culture where strong relationships were built between people with very diverse and often opposing experiences; “Peace is evidenced by people coming into the room and staying there, opening up dialogue rather than closing it down because they disagree.”Judith’s advice to Government enabled significant improvements for victims and survivors. The long-standing campaign for a victims’ payment was enshrined in legislation, a new needs-based approach to services for victims and survivors was introduced, and a regional trauma network to address the mental health legacy of the conflict was developed.She has built links internationally, where she is recognised as an advocate of victims and survivors in post-conflict societies. Judith has been part of peace negotiations in Afghanistan, visited Bosnia and hosted numerous delegations from other nations affected by conflict. From 2004 until 2015 Judith led the UK’s licensed Sector Skills Council for Justice in Northern Ireland and Scotland, working with Justice and community organisations to develop skills and improve practice. She remains committed to developing people and skills as part of building strong and resilient communities.Originally from Manchester, Judith came to Northern Ireland in 1984. Her first job was as a probation officer in North Belfast, where she worked on both sides of the many ‘peace lines.' She supported people experiencing violence, intimidation, domestic and sexual abuse in a community deeply affected by conflict and saw the hardship facing women who often held both families and communities together. These experiences gave Judith a deep understanding of the complex narratives that underlie conflict and the impact that violence has on families and communities. They have stayed with her throughout her 36 years of working in the justice sector Judith lives in County Down. She enjoys running, swimming and walking her dogs along the shoreline of Strangford Lough. She is married and has two grown-up daughters.