Content warning
This page contains information relating to historical forced adoption practices that may be confronting or distressing.
Historical forced adoption practices
From the 1930s to the 1980s, forced adoptions occurred whereby authorities failed to gain free and informed consent from mothers prior to removing their newborns.
These practices usually occurred in an institution, such as a hospital or maternity home and were shaped by the societal attitudes and patriarchal systems of the time.
The historic attitudes that underpinned these practices are not an excuse for the unjust removal of children from mothers, fathers and their families.
For many people impacted by forced adoption, the long term impacts are complex and profound and impinge on many aspects of their life. For these individuals and their families, the trauma of their forced adoption experience persists despite their resilience.
It is important that people impacted by historic forced adoption are heard and supported, and that current and future policies and practices consider what has been learned to ensure harmful practices are never repeated.
At the Department of Communities, we are committed to healing past hurts and supporting those impacted by forced adoption to share their experiences, obtain information about their adoption and access trauma-informed supports.
Government apologies
Western Australian Government Apology
On 19 October 2010, the then Premier of Western Australia Colin Barnett apologised on behalf of the Western Australian Government to people affected by forced adoption or removal policies and practices.
Read the Western Australian Government Apology (PDF, 470KB).
Australian Government Apology
On 21 March 2013, the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard apologised on behalf of the Australian Government to people affected by forced adoption or removal policies and practices.
Read the Australian Government Apology.
Parliamentary Inquiry into Past Forced Adoptive Policies and Practices in WA
From 22 February 2023 to 22 August 2024 the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs conducted a Parliamentary Inquiry into Past Forced Adoptive Policies and Practices in Western Australia.
The Inquiry was an important opportunity for people with lived experience of forced adoption to share their personal experiences and to provide their voices and perspectives on future reforms.
On 22 August 2024, the Committee released the final report of the Inquiry, 'Broken Bonds, Fractured Lives: Report on the Inquiry into Past Forced Adoption in Western Australia’.
WA Government Response
The Government acknowledges the extraordinary courage and determination of the many mothers, fathers, adopted people and their families who shared their experiences throughout the Inquiry as well as the many people who were unable to participate in the Inquiry but continue to carry the trauma of their experience with them.
On 22 October 2024, the Government provided a formal response to the Report including its support for 19 recommendations to address the impact of past forced adoptions.
Among the supported recommendations is the establishment of a Western Australian Forced Adoption Reference Group.
The Reference Group will include people with lived experience such as mothers, fathers, adopted people and adoptive parents, and representatives from community sector organisations and peer-support advocacy groups. Membership is open to people whose forced adoption took place in WA, and who are currently residing in WA.
The Reference Group will have a central role in supporting the implementation of the Government Response.
A public Expression of Interest process is now open and will close on 31 January 2025. More information can be found on the Western Australian Forced Adoption Reference Group webpage.
Other supported recommendations include improving access to adoption information and records, the introduction of integrated birth certificates, improvements to public awareness, service design improvements and the repeal of contact and mediation licenses.
The Department of Communities is the government agency coordinating the implementation of recommendations from the Government Response. The Department of Communities’ Forced Adoptions Inquiry Implementation team are happy to speak with you or provide more information about:
- the Government Response
- requesting a hard-copy of the Government Response to be sent to you by mail
- registering your interest in updates on the progress of implementation of the Government Response
- registering your interest for the Western Australian Forced Adoption Reference Group or other opportunities that may arise for consultation.
Please contact the team on 0403 137 530 or via forcedadoptionsinquiry@communities.wa.gov.au
Support services
Adoption Research & Counselling Services Inc (ARCS)
Show moreARCS provide professional counselling, support and information to anyone dealing with the challenges and opportunities in:
- adoption
- pre-adoption
- unplanned pregnancy
- search, mediation and reunion
- anyone affected by separation from family
- step and blended families
- foster families
- families created through assisted reproductive technology.
Association Representing Mothers Separated from their Children by Adoption Inc (ARMS)
Show moreARMS is a self-help group providing support services to all parties affected by adoption separation.
ARMS meetings are held monthly and work to change adoption laws.
Forced Adoption Support Service (FASS)
Show moreFASS provides a referral and information service that includes:
- support to meet individual needs
- assistance with record searching
- referrals for long term support.
You can visit Relationships Australia WA for more information on FASS.
Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation
Show moreYorgum Aboriginal Corporation provides Link-Up services to Aboriginal people affected by past government policies relating to the removal of children.
