Today marks 17 years since the apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples for the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families between the mid-1800s and 1970s.
Yet, communities and researchers are concerned that child protection systems are creating “another stolen generation” and a “crisis in infant removals”.
Statistics tell us Indigenous children are 11 times more likely to be removed by child protection systems than non-Indigenous children. Indigenous babies aged under one are at greatest risk.
Our recent study reviewed all the studies available about child protection processes in the perinatal period (during pregnancy and the year following birth) in Australia and across the world.
Four themes emerged from these lived experiences.
1. A lack of support before and after removal
Bridget*, an Aboriginal mother, told researchers:
There is no support… I think they should help towards improving family and helping family before taking a child away. It should be the absolute last option.
2. Devastating impact on relationships and wellbeing
Fear of removal also prevented mothers from seeking antenatal care or professional support services, further compromising health and wellbeing.
3. Feeling powerless in the system
Many mothers had been in care themselves. They felt unfairly punished, because it was assumed they would not be capable parents due to past and present trauma.
4. Harmful judgements and stereotypes
Insufficient support for poverty and homelessness before removal made it impossible to meet child protection requirements.