A new exhibition, Without Consent: Australia’s past adoption practices, opens at the Western Australian Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Friday 26 February.

It brings to light a previously hidden aspect of Australia’s past: forced adoptions, and has offered those affected an opportunity to share their experiences – some for the first time.

WA Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder Regional Manager Zoe Scott said it is estimated at least 150,000 adoptions took place from the 1950s-1970s and a significant number of them were forced.

“Many of those women had their babies taken away because they weren’t married and were compelled to live a lie for decades – or even for the rest of their lives,” Ms Scott said.

Without Consent: Australia’s past adoption practices is a national touring exhibition developed and presented by the National Archives of Australia. A website was also developed following former Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s national apology to those affected by forced adoptions in 2013.

“This moving exhibition aims to show the truth: the babies taken for adoption were loved and wanted by their parents,” Ms Scott said.

“That wouldn’t be possible without the brave and generous people who volunteered to share their experiences.”

One letter in the exhibition is from a mother to her son. It reads: “I loved you so much it hurt, and I loved you much more than I loved myself; that is why I was prepared to sacrifice my happiness for yours”.

Without Consent: Australia’s past adoption practices will be on display at the WA Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder until 24 April 2016.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be advised that this exhibition may contain images of, or reference to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who may have been affected by forced adoptions during this period.

Media contact
Sharna Craig
Media and Publicity Officer
Western Australian Museum
sharna.craig@museum.wa.gov.au