Victorian Government to apologise for past forced adoption practices
On 13 August 2012, Premier Ted Baillieu and Minister Mary Wooldridge announced that the Victorian Government will formally apologise to the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and families affected by past forced adoption practices that occurred in Victoria.
The apology will be delivered in State Parliament from 11:30am on Thursday, 25 October 2012.
Forced adoption refers to the situation where mothers were compelled, coerced, or given no choice other than to relinquish their babies for adoption.
A Commonwealth Senate Committee Inquiry tabled in February 2012 found that forced adoptions were widespread in Australia during the 1950s to 1970s, and that the emotional damage caused remains significant to this day. It is estimated that as many as 250,000 babies were relinquished for adoption during this time; the vast majority from young, unmarried mothers.
The Committee recommended that all states and territories and non-government agencies that administered adoptions should issue formal statements of apology.
People will be able to view a live internet broadcast of the apology at: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/video-and-audio/live-broadcasts.
To attend a live screening of the apology you can register your interest by contacting Robyn Gumley at the Department of Human Services by email at robyn.gumley@dhs.vic.gov.au or via telephone on 03 9096 7366. Please note that places are limited.
The official apology will also be made available on DVD. To order a copy, please contact the department using the details above.
View the Victorian Government’s media release.
