From 2010 to 2012, the Australian Institute of Family Studies was tasked by joint Commonwealth, state and territory Community and Disability Service Ministers to conduct a national research study into past adoption practices.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies’ report Past Adoption Experiences details the effects of forced adoptions. This report was published by Pauline Kenny, Daryl Higgins, Carol Soloff and Reem Sweid on 17 August 2012.
The stated aim of the research project was “to strengthen the evidence base available to governments when developing policies and programs that support the current needs of individuals affected by past adoption practices and aid in the healing process.” Of the 1,528 survey respondents, 823 were adopted people – almost 53%. The report is 282 long, and yet it barely touched the surface of the lived/living experience of adopted people.
The full report can be accessed HERE.
ARA continues to advocate for Commonwealth, state and territory governments to provide funding for longitudinal studies tracking lifelong outcomes for adopted people. The outcomes of this research would provide an evidence base of the impacts of living as an adopted person across the lifespan, and the types of supports required by them.