Supporting Mothers, Fathers, Adoptees, Siblings and families in their fight for justice against a cruel historical adoption system which existed during the 1920s to 1990's throughout Northern Ireland. Background
During a very dark chapter in history, many babies were taken from their Mother's at birth, by coercion, all over the world, including Northern Ireland. Mothers experienced pressure and
coercion from their own family and society, clergy, doctors, nurses, social workers and other professionals. Some were sent to institutions such as Mother and Baby Homes, and private nursing homes, for varying lengths of time ranging from years to a few days or weeks. Others were hidden away in the family, whilst plans were made for her. Each Mother's experience was unique, but no matter what path they were on, they all suffered cruel treatment, coercive treatment, and adoption loss. Adoptee's were born in institutions, homes and hospitals throughout Northern Ireland, and quickly taken to be adopted. Some were taken straight after birth, others stayed with their Mother for a period of only a few weeks. Many were fostered for a period of time, or sent to a Children's home before being adopted. The adverse effects of this devastating trauma experienced by Mothers and their children, is still felt throughout Northern Ireland today. The children many Mothers later went on to have, and the adoptee's own children also experience trauma as a result, known as 'inter-generational trauma'. This group exists to support these Mothers, Fathers, adoptees, siblings, descendants of adoptees and families, who are still living with the 'ripple effects' of the cruel closed adoption system today, regardless of what their path has been or what institution, home or hospital Mothers and their children spent time in. NIAA Mission Statement
NIAA aims to ensure the full implementation of the Truth Recovery Report recommendations for justice and redress as presented to the government in November, 2021. NIAA is an inclusive group consisting of adults who were adopted or fostered/boarded out as children, mothers, and family members, both biological and adoptive, from varied ethnic, political and religious backgrounds striving to work together on shared justice goals. We also welcome victims/survivors and their families from other jurisdictions with a connection to our cause. The movement of mothers and children across borders makes this an international issue. The NI Investigation/Inquiry reaches out to “individuals and families” who experienced “Human rights violations in Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries, Workhouses and pathways and practices (including the adoption system, related institutions such as ‘baby homes’ and private nursing homes, and cross-border and international transfers of children and women) ". And so we seek justice for the thousands of women and their now adult children who are victims and survivors of institutional abuse, coerced adoption, illegal trafficking, family separation, discrimination, denial of information, lost identity, and intergenerational trauma caused by decades long discrimination. Page Rules
We ask for Kindness and Understanding of all adoption loss experiences, at all times. Any derogatory, rude or abusive comments will be removed without question.
