The Catholic Church has apologised to victims of forced adoption practices between the 1950s and 70s.
It’s believed around 150,000 women across Australia had their babies forcibly removed by the church and adoption agencies during this time.
The church now concedes adoptions often occurred against the wishes of the mothers, some coerced or under the influence of sedatives when signing consent forms.
In some cases no birth records were kept.
Chief executive of Catholic Health Australia, Martin Laverty, has made the apology in Newcastle where he also met with victims of the practise.
It’s about time.