Historic Apology to people affected by past adoption practices
The Victorian Parliament apologised to the mothers, fathers, sons and daughters affected by past adoption practices on Thursday 25 October 2012 and expressed regret for the pain and harm caused by the past practices.
The Apology acknowledged that forced adoptions occurred from early last century into the early 1980s and were particularly common between 1950 and 1975.
A stakeholder group comprising representatives from VANISH Inc (Victorian Adoption Network for Information and Self Help); Association of Relinquishing Mothers Vic (ARMS); Origins Victoria; and Independent Regional Mothers were consulted in the lead up to the Apology.
VANISH sincerely thanks all our members who contributed so generously to the content of the Apology and arrangements for this special day.