Forced adoption survivors frustrated, re-traumatised by long waits for records as parliamentary inquiry looms

Survivors of forced adoption are being frustrated and re-traumatised by long waits for their official records as they struggle to prepare submissions for the keenly awaited parliamentary inquiry. After tireless work by principal petitioner and Albany-based survivor Jen McRae, the State Government agreed in February to hold an inquiry into the abhorrent practice, which largely occurred between the 1940s and 1980s, targeting young and unwed mothers. But the Department of Communities is now under fire for taking too long to provide desperately-sought documentation to the affected mums and children, with Nationals MP Mia Davies presenting a grievance about it to parliament in mid-June - the day before the deadline for submissions to the inquiry. “Applicants seeking their records can wait for up to nine months for their documents,” Ms Davies said. “It can be less if the applicant agrees to a redacted version that removes the names of any healthcare professionals listed in the paperwork, but the reason these documents are important should be obvious - especially so for those who are preparing submissions for the committee’s inquiry. “Outside the inquiry process ... I think we can all agree that the length of time taken to receive documentation is unacceptable. “To have to wait nine months after having made the decision to pursue their documentation - most of which many of us take for granted, such as birth certificates and healthcare records - would be torturous.” Ms McRae agreed, saying she had spoken to many people who were extremely upset by the difficult process. “They need these records really quickly. They need answers and they need them now,” she told The West Australian on Friday. The process was “really messy”, opaque and repeated approaches went unanswered but such a sensitive issue should be handled swiftly, compassionately and respectfully, Ms McRae said. “They’re treating it like just any other inquiry ... it’s actually about people and trauma and human rights violations. “No communication whatsoever. An email update so people know where they’re at and what’s coming next. “We need communication, lots of encouragement and support. “After all these decades of being treated like absolute second-class citizens, it’s time for society and the Government to be holding us in the palm of their hand.” Association Representing Mothers Separated from Children By Adoption WA coordinator Lynne Devine said the long wait was traumatic for many. “I hear from so many ladies who are beside themselves,” Ms Devine told The West. “You get your courage up to actually try and find out what went on, then get told ‘six or nine months’. “So you have to bury it all then bring it up again half a year later. It’s inhuman.” Responding to Ms Davies’ grievance, Community Services Minister Sabine Winton said providing historical adoptions records could be a complex and lengthy process but it was “really disappointing” to hear of the difficulties some survivors were facing. “I expect Communities - I repeat - I expect Communities to progress requests for documentation as quickly as it can,” Ms Winton said. A spokesman said the department “endeavours to respond to requests for information in a timely manner and is mindful of the impact of delays on survivors”. “Communities has recently engaged additional temporary staff to help with this. “Providing past adoptions records can be a complex and lengthy process due to the research involved to locate as much information as possible for applicants, and timeframes for accessing relevant records. “Communities prioritises applications in circumstances such as legal inquiries, late discoverer adoptees, medical concerns and/or age-related issues.” Department director general Mike Rowe was quizzed on the delays at budget estimates this week and pointed to the adoptions team staff additions. “We do try to make sure that we are prioritising those where people have indicated to us that they would like that information to support their inquiry application,” he said. The Environment and Public Affairs Committee, which is conducting the inquiry, says it will consider late submissions and urges people who could not meet the deadline to contact its staff. WA was the first Australian jurisdiction to formally apologise to the women in 2010, but Victoria has led the way, already holding an inquiry and currently drafting the nation’s first redress scheme.