The illegal and unethical forced adoption practices that commonly occurred in Australia through maternity homes, hospitals, adoption agencies and privately from the 1940s through to 1980s has affected thousands of people.
Research shows forced adoption can have long-term psychological impacts ranging from complex and pathological grief and loss to self-identity and attachment issues, anxiety and attachment disorders, personality disorders, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
In 2012, the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) conducted research into past adoption practices.
More than 1500 people participated in the study, including 823 adopted persons, 505 mothers, 94 adoptive parents, 94 other family members, 12 fathers and 58 service providers.
The study found mothers in labour had been tied to beds or held down while pillows or sheets were held up to obscure any view of their newborn baby.