A Mother's Poem

SHE IS SENTENCED FOR THE TERM OF HER NATURAL LIFE.

Words similar to the above were used in the "Old Bailey" centuries ago. However even to this day, Australian women are suffering this fate, for a supposed decision they were forced to make decades ago. The majority were underage, and none had legal representation.

A scandal?

Yes, one that is about to launch a government enquiry.
We have heard about the "Stolen Generation."
We are about to hear about the silent.....until now.....other Stolen Generation.
The Royal Women's Hospital in Brisbane has opened the lid on "Pandora'a Box". It was the main item on channel 7 news on Wednesday 10th. June 2009.
Three women were publicly presented with a written apology from RBWH. I was privileged to have been part of the negotiating team that facilitated this outcome for these wrongly maligned women.
Women have suffered, in silence, decades of sorrow & the stigma of having had a child out of wedlock.
Professor Ian Jones from the RBWH has publicly acknowledged & apologised for the practices of the day. (Apology can be read on our website.)
Professor Jones has issued a challenge to other hospitals whose practices were just as draconian & barbaric, to follow their example with a public apology to those concerned
.
If this matter is regarded as distasteful & disturbing to you, I make no apology.

Queensland is 150 years in the making, we can choose to continue to live in the dark ages, which facilitated these acts of reprehensible cruelty, or acknowledge them.

Silence, in this case, is not golden.

IS NOT PART OF THE FORUM PLEDGE?
I PROMISE NEVER TO BE SILENT WHEN I OUGHT TO SPEAK OUT.

Already, the letter from the Royal Women's Hospital has caused disquiet amongst the community.
Some birth mothers have been threatened with restraining orders should they make contact with their sons or daughters, or in the case of some,their grandchildren.
Many women were so traumertised by their experience, they were never able to have any other children.
For the term of her natural life, means just that.
What a sad indictment on our so called modern society.
The Royal Women's Hospital in Brisbane is the first in the world to grant such an apology to those concerned.
I think it is appropriate, that in QLD's 150th. year, this historic event was facilitated by Professor Ian Jones.
We cannot re-write history, however, by acknowledging the wrongs of the past, we can ensure they are NEVER repeated.