Anniversary of Apology to Stolen Generations

13 February each year marks the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, who suffered trauma because of past government policies of forced child removal.

Many of these removals occurred as the result of laws and policies aimed at assimilating the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population into the predominately white community. Stolen Generations survivors are some of Australia’s most vulnerable people and many have kept their stories and experiences secret for many years, even decades.

As many of the Stolen Generations are reaching an age where additional support services may be needed, much past trauma can resurface. Helping Hand has developed a free online elearning course which is an introduction to understanding the impacts of childhood trauma for people now entering aged care. It focuses on the experiences of Forgotten Australians, Stolen Generations, Former Child Migrants and people affected by forced adoption. Click here to find out more and access the training.

The five-petal flower shown in the picture is known as the Native Cotton, Desert Rose, or Native Hibiscus, and is an emblem chosen by members of the Stolen Generations. It symbolises the scattering of the Stolen Generations and their resilience to the past policies of Australia.

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