Despite decades of advocacy by forced adoption survivors and government reviews, there is still no recourse for individuals seeking justice, a Victorian community group says.
Victoria was the first Australian jurisdiction to legislate for openness in adoption in 1984.
Adopted people have since been able to apply for their original birth certificate and adoption records. Contact can also be maintained between parents and their children in new adoptions.
But Charlotte Smith, manager of VANISH, which provides services to people affected by past forced adoption practices, says Victoria must again "lead the way in righting the wrongs of the past".
"After decades of advocacy by victim and survivor groups and state and national apologies, there is still no recourse for individuals who seek justice," Ms Smith said in a statement.
Access to records is still problematic, she says, while counselling, support and advocacy services remain under-funded.
"This is not just something that happened in the past, it is very much a live issue for many mothers, fathers and adopted people," Ms Smith said.
"Mothers report that their child being taken for adoption was the most traumatic experience of their lives and research shows their grief intensifies over time.
"Fathers also describe their pain over losing their child and often their relationship with the mother as well. Adopted people are over represented when it comes to anxiety, depression, addictions, self-harm and suicide."
The Parliamentary Inquiry into Responses to Historical Forced Adoption in Victoria last year found the rights of people affected by the practice remain unaddressed despite a government apology in 2012 and a legislative review in 2017.
The report includes 56 recommendations relating to recognition and redress, search services, mental health services, access to records, integrated birth certificates, training of professionals, research, public education, and future adoptions.
Ms Smith supports the recommended redress scheme for mothers, but questioned why adopted people and fathers are excluded.
"Given most of the people affected by forced adoption practices are older Victorians, the recommendations need to be implemented within a tight time-frame," she said.
"VANISH urges the Victorian government to lead the way in Australia by urgently implementing the recommendations from the parliamentary inquiry and to expand the redress scheme to include adopted people."
The Victorian government is expected to respond to the inquiry committee's report by March 7.
"We acknowledge the immense grief and trauma caused by historical forced adoption practices and welcome the inquiry's report into the devastating impacts of these cruel practices," a government spokesperson told AAP.
"We recognise the significant amount of work and public consultation that has gone into the preparation of the Inquiry's report and look forward to delivering a response."
