A murdered police officer's widow was today appointed Northern Ireland's new victims' commissioner.
Bertha McDougall has been selected by the British government for a role regarded as crucial in strengthening unionist confidence in the peace process.
The former primary school teacher's husband Lindsay, an RUC Reservist, was shot dead by the INLA in Belfast city centre in January 1981.
Since then she has campaigned for police widows and set up the victims' lobby group Forgotten Families. Secretary of State Peter Hain insisted Mrs McDougall would ensure those who have suffered are never neglected.
He said: "Her experience in working with victims and victims support groups will be vital in helping to address the needs of those who have suffered great personal loss.
"The government believes that the needs of those who have suffered so much over the years must get greater recognition. They must not become the forgotten people.
"Substantial resources have already been provided to individual victims and the self help groups on which many rely for help but I feel that more needs to be done to recognise all the pain and hurt."
Mrs McDougall, who does not represent any political party, will have responsibility for establishing a forum for those who suffered during more than 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland. Her role will involve assessing services for victims and survivors across all government departments and agencies, identifying any gaps in service provision.
PA