The Case for a Royal Commission on Forced Adoption:
A Missed Opportunity in Addressing Birth Trauma
The NSW Government’s recent response to the Select Committee on Birth Trauma marks a significant step in acknowledging the profound impact of physical and psychological trauma experienced during childbirth. However, despite its comprehensive approach to improving maternity care, the report notably excludes any discussion of adoption and forced adoption trauma — a glaring omission given the multiple submissions advocating for their inclusion.
Why Was Adoption Trauma Overlooked?
Narrow Definition of Birth Trauma
The report primarily focuses on the immediate physical and psychological consequences of childbirth within the healthcare setting. This narrow scope may have led to the exclusion of adoption-related trauma, which, while intimately connected to birth, extends far beyond the delivery room and encompasses lifelong emotional, psychological, and social impacts.
Institutional Biases
Government and institutional reports often reflect deeply ingrained perspectives that shape what issues are considered relevant. In this case, the historical separation of birth trauma from adoption trauma reveals an institutional blind spot — a reluctance to confront the broader and more complex implications of systemic practices like forced adoption.
Complexity and Controversy
Addressing forced adoption would require confronting a dark chapter in Australia’s history, including government and institutional roles in coercive practices. The political sensitivity and complexity of these issues may have influenced the decision to sideline them, as doing so avoids reopening wounds that demand accountability and redress.
A Missed Opportunity for Holistic Care
By excluding adoption trauma, the report misses a crucial opportunity to take a more holistic approach to birth-related trauma. The failure to address the lifelong impacts of forced adoption limits the report’s ability to provide comprehensive support systems that address all aspects of trauma stemming from birth and family separation.
The Implications of Exclusion
For adoptees and those affected by forced adoption, the omission of their experiences from the report is more than just an oversight — it is a continuation of the marginalization they have faced for decades. This exclusion perpetuates the silence around adoption trauma, leaving those affected without recognition or validation of their pain.
The decision to ignore these submissions reflects a broader issue within institutional responses to trauma: a tendency to address only the most visible and immediate forms of harm while overlooking the deep, systemic issues that contribute to long-term suffering. This approach not only fails those who have already been harmed but also prevents the development of truly comprehensive and effective care strategies.
A Call for Inclusive Action
The NSW Government’s response to birth trauma, while a positive step forward, falls short of addressing the full spectrum of trauma that can arise from birth. By not including adoption and forced adoption in its considerations, the report misses a vital opportunity to acknowledge and address the complex and interconnected experiences of those affected.
Moving forward, it is essential that institutions broaden their understanding of trauma to include all relevant experiences, particularly those that have historically been overlooked or dismissed. This means not only listening to the voices of those affected by adoption trauma but also actively working to incorporate their experiences into policies and support systems.
Only by embracing a more inclusive approach can we hope to provide the comprehensive care and recognition that all individuals affected by birth-related trauma deserve. The silence on adoption trauma in the current report is a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that all forms of trauma are acknowledged and addressed with the seriousness and reverenance they deserve.
The Case for a Royal Commission on Forced Adoption:
Bridging State Disparities
The stark differences in how Australian states address the issue of forced adoption — where one state may initiate an inquiry and recommend redress, while another omits the issue altogether — underscore the urgent need for a national approach. A Royal Commission on forced adoption could provide the comprehensive, consistent investigation necessary to address this deeply entrenched injustice across the entire country.
In my previous article I spoke of personally been told directly by the office of The Prime Minister of Australia — Anthony Albanese, that at this time, there is no indication or intention to establish a Royal Commission into this issue.
“In terms of your request for the establishment of a Royal Commission into forced adoption, Royal Commissions are a form of non-judicial and non-administrative governmental investigation and are only established in exceptional circumstances. Royal Commissions are established by the Governor-General, in accordance with the Royal Commissions Act 1902 and on the advice of the government, to inquire into matters of public importance. The government of the day determines the need to request a royal commission. At this time, the Government has not indicated an intention to establish a Royal Commission into this issue.”
Why a Royal Commission Is Necessary
Uniformity Across States — Addressing Disparities
The current state-by-state approach to forced adoption results in significant disparities in how the issue is addressed, with some states taking decisive action while others neglect it. A Royal Commission, with its national scope, would ensure that all states and territories are held to the same standards, ensuring that the experiences of those affected by forced adoption are acknowledged and addressed consistently across the country.
Equal Access to Justice
Every person affected by forced adoption deserves the same level of recognition, investigation, and redress, regardless of where they live. A Royal Commission would help ensure that no state or territory can sidestep its responsibility, thus providing equal access to justice for all Australians impacted by this issue.
Comprehensive Investigation — Uncovering the Full Extent
Forced adoption practices were not confined to any one state — they were a nationwide phenomenon. A Royal Commission has the power to conduct a thorough investigation across all states, uncovering the full extent of the practices and ensuring that all affected individuals are heard. This would prevent the piecemeal approach currently seen, where only parts of the issue are addressed depending on the state.
Historical Accountability
Many of the institutions involved in forced adoption operated across multiple states. A Royal Commission could investigate these entities comprehensively, holding them accountable for their actions nationwide, rather than allowing them to evade scrutiny by state-based inquiries.
Authority and Power — Subpoena Powers
Unlike state inquiries, a Royal Commission has significant legal powers, including the ability to subpoena documents, compel testimony, and protect witnesses. This would ensure that all relevant information is brought to light, and that those responsible for coercive adoption practices are held accountable, regardless of their current position or location.
National Redress Scheme
A Royal Commission could recommend the establishment of a national redress scheme, ensuring that all survivors of forced adoption receive compensation and support, regardless of which state they reside in. This would prevent the current situation where redress is unevenly available depending on state-specific actions.
A Unified National Response — National Healing
Forced adoption is a national issue that requires a unified response. A Royal Commission would not only investigate and provide recommendations but also play a crucial role in fostering national healing. By bringing the issue to the forefront of the national consciousness, it would help to break the silence that has long surrounded forced adoption and offer a platform for survivors to share their stories on a national stage.
Long-Term Impact
The findings and recommendations of a Royal Commission would have lasting implications, influencing future policies and ensuring that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. It would set a national precedent for how historical injustices are addressed, ensuring that no similar issues are overlooked in the future.
The disparities between state responses to forced adoption highlight the need for a Royal Commission to provide a unified, comprehensive, and authoritative investigation into this dark chapter of Australian history. A Royal Commission would ensure that all voices are heard, all injustices are acknowledged, and that a consistent, national approach is taken to provide redress and support to those affected.
By addressing forced adoption at the national level, Australia can take a significant step towards righting the wrongs of the past, providing justice and healing for survivors, and ensuring that such practices are never allowed to occur again. The time for a Royal Commission on forced adoption is now — only through such a powerful and far-reaching inquiry can the nation fully confront and address the systemic injustices that have harmed so many.
