The South Australian Government has formally apologised to those people who’s lives were affected by past forced adoption practices.

 

It is estimated that over 17,000 children were adopted out in South Australia before 1980, with an unspecified number of those the victim of forced adoption practices.

 

In a special sitting in the State Parliament, South Australian members of the lower house acknowledged and apologised for the ‘deep distress and hurt’ that the practice has inflicted on parents and children.

 

“Our apology will recognise that those practices directly affected many of those parents whose children were adopted by force and many of those people who were separated from their parents as children,” Mr Weatherill said.

 

“This apology is long overdue, but we hope it will be a significant moment for those affected.”

 

The apology is consistent with a recommendation made by the Commonwealth Government Senate Committee report, The Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policy and Practices, which was released in February this year.