Forced Adoptions

The Women and Newborn Health Service acknowledges the significant pain and suffering that has been experienced by the many women, children and their families as a result of the forced adoption policy and practices in Western Australia from the 1940 to the 1980s, and recognises both the State Apology in 2010 and National Apology in 2013.

The State Apology (Removal of children from unmarried mothers - Apology) (PDF)  was delivered by former Premier the Hon Colin Barnett in Parliament House. The apology was to the mothers, their children and families who were adversely affected by past adoption practices. The (then) Premier expressed his sympathy to those individuals whose interests were not best served by the policy of those times and acknowledged the lifelong legacy of pain and suffering. The National Apology was delivered by former-Prime Minister Julia Gillard in the Great Hall at Parliament House, Canberra on 21 March 2013.

If you have been affected in any way by forced adoption, please visit the Forced Adoption Support Service offered by Relationships WA 1300 364 277.