Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard offered an apology Thursday to the mothers , children and families affected by forced adoptions . An untold number of unwed women in Australia were forced to give up their children for adoption over decades during the 20th century . `` To you , the mothers -- who were betrayed by a system that gave you no choice and subjected you to manipulation , mistreatment and malpractice -- we apologize , '' said Gillard , speaking in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra . Addressing those ripped from their families , she said : `` To each of you who were adopted or removed , who were led to believe your mother had rejected you , and who were denied the opportunity to grow up with your family and community of origin , and to connect with your culture , we say sorry . '' Gillard 's comments came about a year after a Senate committee that investigated forced adoptions released its report , which included a recommendation for a national apology . The report found that some mothers signed adoption papers while under the influence of medication . Others were not advised of government payments that may have been available to them . `` Most common of all was the bullying arrogance of a society that presumed to know what was best , '' Gillard said . The report estimated there were 140,000 to 150,000 adoptions between 1951 and 1975 , and as many as 250,000 from 1940 onward . It determined it was impossible to say exactly how many of those were forced . Gillard pledged support for families that continue to be affected by such adoptions , committing $ 5 million Australian to improving access to specialist support and records tracing . `` We offer this apology in the hope that it will assist your healing and in order to shine a light on a dark period of our nation 's history , '' she said .
Forced adoptions were widespread in Australia for decades . They were often arranged for the babies of unwed mothers . Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivers the apology .