Somerset woman calls for changes after her forced adoption in the 1970s
Vik Fielder was adopted at just a week old because of Government practices between the 1950s and 1970s
Last updated 29th Mar 2023
A woman from Somerset - who was forcibly adopted when she was just a week old - is calling for the Government to pledge they will make changes.
Now in her 50s, Vik Fielder from Over Stowey, was born in London - but her 18-year-old mum was forced to give her up at just one week old because of the rules in place at the time.
Back then - in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s - women were told they had no choice but to give up their children for adoption, while at the time a number of 'mother and baby homes' were also up by the The Catholic Church, Church of England and the Salvation Army in an attempt to protect them from this practice.
Now, though, Vik, who helped to create the Adult Adoptee Movement', is calling for public services to be far more mindful of people's experiences.
She was brought to Somerset after her mum was forced to give her up, and said: "I always use midwifery. Having my daughter was one of the most profound things that has ever happened to me in my life.
"My daughter was the first person I knew who I was biologically linked to.
"My midwives didn't have any idea of the profoundness I was feeling."
When she became a mum, Vicki started on the search for her own mother, and after a time of searching, discovered her mum passed away in 1992 at the age of 38 - and it was a direct result of the rules in place at the time - and a direct result of Vicki being adopted.
Now, Vik says many adoptees struggle to access support later in life - and that there’s a lack of awareness about different options for adopting.
Describing her understanding that safeguards do need to be in place, she added: "I acknowledge protections need to be in place, and that there are some children out there that can't be parented by their parents.
"We do need to have safeguards in place for these children to make sure that they are cared for, but there are special and legal guardianships. You're legally parenting that child, but you're not changing their name."
Just last week, the Scottish government apologised for the practice between the '50s and '70s that saw often unmarried women pressured into giving up children.
"We are sorry on behalf of society"
The UK Government have also apologised "on behalf of society" at their historic adoption practises - and tell us they've learned the lessons of the time.
A spokesperson from the Department for Education said: “The Government thanks the Joint Committee on Human Rights for their report.
"We agree with the Committee’s findings that the treatment during this period of many unmarried parents, especially women, was wrong and should not have happened. The adoption practices of this time caused suffering to many women and their children, and had a profound impact on the family lives of all those involved.
"These practices have had a detrimental effect on the lives of not only the women and their children, but also on fathers, siblings, extended family members and their adoptive families too. We are sorry to all those affected by historic adoption practices.
"We are sorry on behalf of society for what happened. Whilst we cannot undo the past, lessons of the time have been learned and have led to significant changes to legislation and practice.”
You can find out more about the UK Adult Adoption Movement and their 14 key recommendations to set new standards and legislation to protect adoptees on their website.
You can find out more about adoption here or at Adopt South West.