Movement for an Adoption Apology

October 3, 2011 [ updated August 2024 ]

We seek recognition and acknowledgement of the pain and grief suffered by many first parents and their children because of the unethical adoption practices of the past. This can only be achieved by a full Parliamentary Apology with cross-party support bolstered by additional measures to help those affected.

Explanation: For many years, until at least the 1980s, pregnancy outside marriage was severely frowned upon, and frequently young women who found themselves in this situation were given little choice but to give in to the strong pressures which were exerted on them by the authorities to have their babies adopted. They were not given information about the welfare services, including housing and financial help, which were available at the time. There was no question of these women being found to be unfit mothers; they were simply prevented from becoming mothers at all.

This experience traumatised many of these women resulting in years, in some cases a lifetime of mental and/or physical ill health. Many were unable to have more children. In some cases, fathers, even when wishing to remain involved, were refused a say in their child’s future, because the child was classified as illegitimate. Thus these fathers also became unwilling parties to these adoptions.

The impact and lasting effects on our children were not considered when they were infants. Now our children are adults, they are telling the world what being adopted means for them. Adopted people face many difficulties, including limited or no access to medical information, problems with official documentation and the emotional impact of what was done to them without their consent.

Despite a Parliamentary Inquiry held in 2021/2022, which produced a damning report entitled “The Violation of Family Life”, we appear to be no closer to formal recognition of the cruelty, damage and injustices inflicted on young, vulnerable mothers and their new-born babies.

We call on the newly appointed Labour Government to do the right thing and issue a formal public apology to all affected and implement the measures recommended by MAA and by the Adult Adoptee Movement to ensure that everyone who has been traumatised by these experiences receives the help they need.

Time is running out. People are dying. We need justice now.