Mothers and families affected by forced adoptions will be remembered in parliament as the federal government announces extra funding for support services.
Tuesday marks the 10th anniversary of the national apology for forced adoptions, delivered by former prime minister Julia Gillard.
Tens of thousands of young, unmarried mothers and their babies were affected by the illegal practice between the 1950s and 1980s.
Unwed and often young Australian women were coerced into giving their newborn babies up for adoption.
Ms Gillard’s historic statement in 2013 apologised unreservedly for forced adoptions, denounced the “reprehensible and inexcusable” practices, acknowledged the lifelong pain they caused and committed to support Australians affected.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the suffering of people who had experienced forced adoption had not gone away.
“The pain and suffering associated with forced adoption practices is lifelong,” she said.
“The mother-baby bond was broken, as so many mothers were pressured into giving up their newborn babies or had their babies taken through immoral, unethical and above all illegal practices.
“For some people, the pain is still ahead of them. There are adults today who, only now, in midlife, are finding out that they were separated from their parents.”
To coincide with the anniversary, the government announced an additional $700,000 in funding for trauma-informed support services.
Ms Rishworth said the new funding would strengthen current supports available by training aged care, allied health, and Forced Adoption Support Service providers to ensure they can deliver targeted, trauma-informed care.
“This will mean people affected by forced adoption can access appropriate care, tailored for their needs, whatever stage of life they are at,” she said.
There is nearly $2 million in annual funding for the support services which include a national helpline, casework, search services to locate family, and access to counselling.
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– AAP
