The governments of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have issued public apologies for their historical roles in the forced adoption policies that affected thousands of families during the mid-to-late 20th century. These policies, which took place in England between 1949 and 1976, involved the systematic targeting of young, unmarried women who gave birth out of wedlock. Under societal and institutional pressures, these women were often coerced into giving up their babies, with both the state and the Christian church playing pivotal roles in shaping these adoption narratives.
In England, this period saw the creation of specialized mother-and-baby homes, intended to help these women conform to prevailing social norms. However, the reality was more coercive, with many women being placed in these homes against their will, resulting in the removal of their children for adoption. Historians estimate that thousands of infants in the UK and the Republic of Ireland were separated from their mothers without informed consent, as [reported by JURIST](https://www.jurist.org/news/2026/07/uk-and-dutch-governments-apologize-for-forced-adoptions/).
The independent inquiry documenting these practices was instrumental in bringing these historical injustices to light. The role of the Church of England, which previously sanctioned these adoptions as morally commendable, has come under specific scrutiny. The church offered its apology, acknowledging the deep harm caused by these practices and emphasizing that the shame directed towards these women was misplaced and undeserved. The victims of this policy have now been assured that efforts will be made to facilitate access to adoption records, and funds have been earmarked for services such as Family Connect, which assists individuals in tracing their biological families.
The Netherlands experienced parallel developments, with around 15,000 infants being subjected to forced adoptions between 1956 and 1984. State Secretary Van Bruggen expressed formal apologies on behalf of the Dutch Cabinet to the affected mothers, children, and fathers, highlighting the government’s past complicity in this regrettable chapter of history. The Dutch government’s statement followed initial discussions in April about acknowledging these adoptions.
These apologies mark significant steps towards recognizing and redressing the pain inflicted by forced adoptions. Both countries are now committed to implementing measures to support reconciliation and recovery for the affected individuals and families, ensuring that this dark period becomes a crucial lesson for future policymaking.