Ms Sophia McColgan, the sex abuse victim who went public in a civil action earlier this year, will be nominated outstanding Young Person of the World for 1998 in Manila in November.
Ms McColgan, her brothers and sisters, were abused by their father, Joe McColgan, over a period of 15 years. He is currently serving a 12-year sentence.
In January Ms McColgan, her two brothers and one sister were each awarded a six-figure sum as a result of a civil action against the North Western Health Board and Dr Desmond Moran, the family doctor. The case was settled without admission of liability. Last month an inquiry into the handling of the case by the health board found that, despite taking one child into care for a time, the board failed to act to protect the children because of lack of co-ordination of services and exploration of the options available.
Last night Ms Christina Farrington, of Sligo Junior Chamber, told a reception for Ms McColgan and her family that they had been delighted to nominate Sophia.
Ms McColgan went on to win the Irish Outstanding Young Person of the Year award and was nominated for the international award. Ms Pam Byrne, national president of Junior Chamber Ireland, said Sophia would receive her international award before 7,000 people at the World Congress of Junior Chamber International in November.
Ms McColgan said she was delighted to accept the award on behalf of her family. "We fought the professionals, and even though some did not have enough grace to accept defeat, we fought and got justice," she said.
"There is a lot to learn from this case. At the end of the day I hope there is a reduction in this type of system failure. It's now up to the Government to provide the resources to get the Child Care Act fully up and running."