Some of the information contained in the following videos, websites and documents is distressing. It describes cruelty and abuse of children. It is sad and confronting, but they are not just sad stories. They are a call to action. A call that these survivors have been making for decades, which led to some action, such as the establishment of services like Wattle Place. But there is still so much more that needs to be done, and CAN be done. We hope, as you make your way through this information, you will identify small (or big!) changes you can make, or actions you can take, to bring a little bit of justice to these remarkable survivors.

If you are aware of resources that we should add to this list, please contact us.

If anything in this information causes you distress, please talk to someone or seek support through the crisis numbers at the bottom of the page.

Wattle Place information

 

Read the Forced Adoption Support Service Booklet

Tracing your Family Tree Booklet

Videos

The Forgotten Australians – Adele Chynoweth at TEDxCanberra

Who are the Forgotten Australians? – Youtube

Forgotten Australians: Wattle Place – Daily Telegraph video

My stolen childhood, and a life to rebuild | Sheila Humphries | TEDxPerth

Mothers share their personal experiences with Forced Adoption – ABC

Forgotten Fathers – SBS Insight episode

Angela’s story part 1 – ABC (Adopted person’s story)

Angela’s story part 2 – ABC (Adopted person’s story)

Angela’s story part 3 – ABC (Adopted person’s story)

For family, friends, partners and loved ones supporting a survivor of trauma – Blueknot

Without our Consent a Queensland Story – Jigsaw Queensland

Key Organisations

Alliance for Forgotten Australians

Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN)

Healing Foundation

Link-up NSW Aboriginal Corporation

Child Migrants Trust

Survivors and Mates Support Network (SAMSN)

Origins

Blue Knot Foundation – National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma

We Al Li

Adoptee Rights Australia

Victims Services

 

Key websites

Find and Connect Web Resource

National Museum of Australia Inside: Life in Children’s Homes and Institutions Exhibition

National Library of Australia Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants Oral History Project

Australian National Maritime Museum Britain’s Child Migrants virtual Exhibition

Forced Adoptions History Project

Adopt Perspective Podcast – Jigsaw Queensland

Without Consent Exhibition

Australian Department of Social Security – Forced Adoption Practices

National Redress Scheme

 

Key documents

UNSW, 2017, Long term Outcomes for Forgotten Australians Study

Australian Government Department of Health, 2016, Caring for Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and Stolen Generations Information Package

AIHW, 2018, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stolen Generations aged 50 and over Report

Impact of past adoption practices: Summary of key issues from Australian research – Final report

Bringing Them Home Report

‘Forgotten Australians’ and ‘Lost Innocence’: child migrants and children in institutional care in Australia

Forgotten Australians: A report on Australians who experienced institutional or out-of-home care as children

Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices

Final Report: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

Useful Documents

Practical Tips for Aged Care providers to support their clients to develop their own “About Me”

Real Care the Second Time Around