Call for apology over forced adoptions

Hundreds of women forced to give up their babies for adoption in the 1950s, 60s and 70s because they were unmarried, are calling for a government apology.

Sue Armstrong Brown, CEO of Adoption UK said: “What happened to these women and their children is heartbreaking and indefensible. Apologising to them is the right thing for the government to do.

Thankfully, adoption has changed. Today, adoption is only used when it is not safe for a child to stay with their birth family because of abuse, violence or neglect. Adoption gives them safety, stability and the chance to thrive. But we owe it to these women and their children to face up to the wrong that was done to them in different times.”

For interviews contact Alison Woodhead 07788 212567

For more information on The Movement for an Adoption Apology

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Ma’am, I was so saddened to read your story. You do not say when it was you were so unfairly treated, but, I presume it must have been approximately at least 40 years ago from certain references you make. Hopefully the recent UK government enquiry findings will soon result in truly deserved apologies to people like you and new protocols and procedures introduced to ensure no one else has to similarly suffer. I really do hope that you have since been able to connect with your child and life is now kinder to you both.

From: Patricia Dessoy

Published: 06 March 2023
No drug issues with zero criminal activities, over the age of 20 years old (not underaged, little college degree.) I was told by the corrupted team in the UK that I'm too uneducated, no University degree, told by a mature larger women that I was too morbidly obese at less then 60kg (9 stone.) And that I was mentally incapable of being a mother. (Depression.) I had everything taken away from me by force and my support worker was laughing with her friend while I was being persecuted. I was a victim of both physical and mental abuse. Also have a fake birth certificate too, was punished all my life. When my waters broken the NHS did not believe me and sent me to a cold assessment room, my ombilical cord snapped and they refused to help unless I signed a few forms..... I was in a lot of pain with no pain relief meds. I signed their papers because they threatened to leave me bleed to death. I was dying on a silver metal chair trying to breastfeed my newborn baby, then rushed into an emergency surgery room where they put an injection in my spinal cord. While I was paralyzed a group of women burst into the room to look at my newborn baby. I was part of a born again church where one of its members was a children's social services employee during pregnancy the social services came into the delivery room to remove my newborn baby while I was bleeding and paralyzed, later to have back issues. My biological child was forcefully taken away from me to be adopted to nasty adoptees. Yes the system is set up to fail each biological mother, further punishments by the adopted parents refusing to allow my child to write a letter even when the family court judge promised twice a year, never received one single letter. The Machiavellic Adoption centre is just as bad as social services, cafcass, nurse and so called rotten support workers.

From: First Name

Published: 06 March 2023
Maddy I was saddened to read your story. My understanding is your adoption certificate is what is required for adopted children to obtain official documents for marriage and for passports etc. With this document Government approved search agencies, such as P A C - who I used, can begin a search for your birth family, if that’s what you wish to do. They may also be able to advise you how to obtain a copy of your original registration of birth. You are strong and reached adulthood even with your ‘rocky’ beginning. ‘ Box on’ , and begin working around the obstructions your adoptive family have put into place to find your roots. Good luck and best wishes - it will take time, but you will get there. Patricia Dessoy

From: Patricia Dessoy

Published: 31 January 2023
I was adopted in 1973. My adopted parents were always pulling a scam. I’ve found no less than 5 birth certificates already, all giving different dates of birth, ranging from June to December. I still haven’t found my original one. I did a dna test at 49 with my brother, uncle and cousin and found out I wasn’t related to either side. Adopted parents laughed and said they didn’t have to tell me anything. Our childhoods were abusive and full of evil. If only I could have stayed with my real parents. I wonder how life would have been.

From: Maddy 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙨𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙

Published: 31 January 2023
Ez Jones, I received search help from pac uk. Their email address is [email protected] They are approved by the authorities to approach adoption agencies etc. I suggest you start by registering on the government register. If both parties have registered they are put in touch. Also try your local authority, many now offer their own search facilities, or they will advise which search agencies they have approved. They often pay toward the search agency fees . Try to obtain details of you sisters birth name and her birth certificate, as it helps to know the local authority. Good luck in you search - be prepared and it may take some time. Patricia Dessoy

From: Patricia Dessoy

Published: 18 August 2022
Hi can anyone help me? My mam was treated awfully & forced to give up her baby girl in 1950's . She now died but my mam & Dad always wanted to know if she was OK. I would love to find out about my sister but don't know what to do or where to start?. Thanks.

From: Ez Jones

Published: 18 August 2022
Ms Helier, many of us went through similar pain and heartbreak back then. The world was a very different place, maybe the hardship of most folks lives made people so uncaring. An apology will not right the wrong, but will be a formal acknowledgment we were ill treated and help people put aside the shame and open the secrets and hopefully release some of the pent up painful emotions held inside for so many years. More assistance to help the mothers and children find each other and reconnect is needed and is also long overdue. Have you found your child? Finding them can really help. Earlier this year after 55 years I finally found my daughter after a long difficult search. I was always fearful for her safety after she was taken into what I felt was an abyss. Being able to put my fears aside and confirm she had a loving stable upbringing and lived a full and active life has really helped me, I’m sure it would most mothers. As I’m sure the children being able to confirm they were always thought of and wished a safe and happy life would help them too. I would recommend all mothers and their adopted children to register on the government linking register and to contact their local authorities to obtain advice and assistance in contacting specialist search agencies to help them. Comfort to all of you suffering the pain of separation .

From: Patricia Dessoy

Published: 19 May 2022
An apology is worthless to me now I wanted an apology 50 hrs ago when I was forced to give mybaby for adoption . I would love to talk to somebody who has been through the same as me. Val

From: Valerie Hellier

Published: 18 May 2022
Ms Griffin and Somerfield, your comments make it so clear you are both still in pain as am I, still after more than 50 years have passed for me. You are right, An apology will be worthless unless it ensures no one else has to similarly suffer and the law and practice relating to adoption is clear and related actions are transparent and it takes all steps humanly possible to minimise the trauma and heartbreak for everyone. Things must change and not return to the shameful way they were.

From: Patricia Dessoy

Published: 07 January 2022
Why have you removed my post? The purported forthcoming expected apology will be a whitewash. They previously refused to hold an inquiry. It is a flying pig in relation to the government's agenda which is to reprivatise adoption. Current practice and guidance is moving adoption back into private hands, and inspection regimes purposely redefined to completely ignore birth family and children's rights. Oh, and they've ramped up foster to adopt interracial intercountry; so we are back to kids being shipped abroad ( current charge to adopters circa 25k, with an additional £34k claimed from central government. Per child.). One VAA made a million in profit last year.

From: claire griffin

Published: 07 January 2022