‘Forgotten Australians’ Seek Recognition for 500,000 Children Removed From Families
More than half a million Australians were removed from their families, with later inquiries documenting widespread neglect and physical and sexual abuse.
TL;DR
- Survivors of a 20th-century child removal system in Australia are calling for greater recognition.
- The term ‘Forgotten Australians’ was coined after a 2004 Senate inquiry into the system.
- More than 500,000 children were removed from their families and placed in out-of-home care.
- Many children were not orphans but came from families experiencing poverty or crisis.
- Survivors faced neglect, exploitation, brutality, and physical and sexual abuse in institutions.
- Some survivors and advocates now use the term ‘Remembered Australians’.