Key information
- The Adoptions Act 1988 ensures adoptees have the right to know about their origins and identity.
- A number of free support services are available, including:
- support to access adoption records and family tracing services
- specialised counselling services.
Forced adoptions refer to instances of adoption where a child’s parent or parents were compelled, against their will to relinquish a child for adoption. These practices occurred in Tasmania up until the 1980’s and continue to deeply affect the lives of many people.
If you have been affected by past adoption practices, specialised support is available by contacting Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277 or the Adoptions team on (03) 6166 0422.
The Adoptions team can help you with access to adoption records and family tracing services.
Relationships Australia delivers the Forced Adoption Support Services in Tasmania. This service is provided by phone and face-to-face.
This free service provides:
- specialised counselling for trauma and grief
- assistance with records searching
- family-tracing and reunification, and
- aims to improve access to peer and group support.