NORTHERN IRELANDS TRAUMA ECOMOMY, AND WHO PROFITS?

 THE BELFAST BAPCAST — EPISODE: “Northern Ireland’s Trauma Economy (And Who Profits?)”

How much of Northern Ireland’s pain is being monetised? Why are entire industries built on keeping the Troubles alive? And who is actually cashing in on the grief, guilt, and division?

In this explosive solo episode, we peel back the polished layers of peace-building and expose the billion-pound “trauma economy” that feeds on the chaos — while working-class people are left behind.

 We cover:

- £21M in trauma budgets through the VSS

- £2B+ in legacy legal costs and historical investigations

- The rise of victimhood as political capital

- Trauma as social control

- The silence around Protestant pain

- How Northern Ireland became a test lab for global NGOs

This isn’t about disrespect. It’s about *truth*.

 Sources cited: See below 

VSS Annual Report 2023–24: https://www.victimsservice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2023-24-Annual-Report-and-Accounts-The-Victims-and-Survivors-Service-Limited.pdf

Policy Exchange – The £2 Billion Cost of Legacy: https://policyexchange.org.uk/publication/the-2-billion-cost-of-legacy-in-northern-ireland/

The Times – Legacy Policing Budget Drain: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dithering-over-troubles-legacy-is-costing-us-millions-cxznlpc8j

VSS CEO Job Spec (Structure/Remit): https://irecruit-ext.hrconnect.nigov.net/resources/documents/b/o/c/boc-vss-ceo-booklet_final-version.pdf

NI Assembly Legacy Justice Report: https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/committees/2017-2022/justice/reports/legacy-report-2017---2022/

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