5Rstolen2

=Stolen Generations=

By Kyra & Ekin
The ‘Stolen Generation’ refers to a time when Aboriginal children were taken away from their families. Over 100,000 Aborigines were taken by force. They were taken by police and welfare. This happened from about 1910 to the 1970’s. The children that were taken were usually around five years of age or younger. When a child was taken there was rarely any judicial process.

The children that were taken were usually raised in churches or state institutions. Some children were adopted or fostered by white parents. Many children suffered physical and sexual abuse. The food and living conditions they had were probably very poor. The Aboriginal children had very little education. They had to work and they were very lowly paid (sometimes they weren’t paid at all.)

Between 10% and 30% of Aboriginal children were taken from their families overall. Speaking their own languages and practising their ceremonies was forbidden. Family visits were discouraged of forbidden; letters were destroyed. As adults, many suffered insecurity, lack of self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, depression, suicide, violence, and delinquency, abuse of alcohol, drugs and inability to trust.

In 1995 a national inquiry was set up. It found that forcible removal of indigenous children was a gross violation of human rights. The Government increased some funding but is still refusing to apologise.