New fund makes a big difference – Mothers impacted by forced adoption encouraged to apply

MOTHERS separated from a child through forced adoption practices are encouraged to apply to the Victorian Government’s Exceptional Circumstances Fund for a one-off payment of up to ten-thousand dollars.

The fund was established last year to assist mothers facing circumstances that mean they cannot wait for the State Government’s redress scheme, which is currently being developed in response to 2021’s Parliamentary Inquiry into Historical Forced Adoption.

Access to the one-off payments will not preclude mothers from applying for the redress scheme once it is established.

Mothers separated from their child prior to 1985 can apply to the fund if they have a critical illness, chronic illness, diagnosed mental illness, a condition that requires surgery, or are experiencing other exceptional circumstances.

Gail Holstock, support services coordinator at VANISH, or Victorian Adoption Network for Information and Self-Help, said, “We encourage mothers to call us to discuss whether they may be eligible, as ‘exceptional circumstances’ are determined on a case-by-case basis.”

Established in 1989 by and for people affected by adoption, VANISH is a community, not-for-profit organisation which provides free, confidential services including family tracing, counselling, and support groups-including one in Ballarat.

“We can assist mothers to apply and provide support throughout the process,” said Gail.

“Although $10,000 is not a huge amount of money, and by no means intended to compensate for past harms, for some mothers this has been life changing.”

For more information about VANISH, phone 9328 8611, email [email protected] or visit vanish.org.au.

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