Your rights as a member of the Stolen Generations
If you or your family were directly affected by forced removals, there are specific support services and reparations available. You are not alone.
Key points
- Link-Up Victoria provides support for Stolen Generations members
- Victorian reparations scheme available for institutional child sexual abuse survivors
- VACCHO has a dedicated Stolen Generations unit
- You have the right to your own records — you can request them
- Counselling and mental health support is available through ACCHOs and headspace
- This is intergenerational trauma — support is available for families, not just those directly removed
Your rights as a member of the Stolen Generations
The Stolen Generations refers to Aboriginal people who were forcibly removed from their families by government authorities, particularly between 1910 and 1970. If you or your family were affected by this, there is support available.
Link-Up Victoria — 1800 641 072
Link-Up Victoria is a specialist service for Stolen Generations members and their families. They can help with:
- Tracing family history and records
- Reconnecting with family
- Accessing government records about your removal
- Emotional support and counselling
- Legal help for related matters
Call 1800 641 072 and ask for Link-Up Victoria.
Your right to your records
You have the right to access your personal records held by government agencies — including child welfare records, institutional records, and any documents related to your removal.
To access records:
- Link-Up Victoria can guide you through the process
- The National Archives of Australia holds federal records
- The Public Record Office Victoria holds state government records
Getting your records can be an important step in understanding your family’s story. It can also be emotionally difficult — bring a support person.
VACCHO Stolen Generations unit
VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) has a dedicated Stolen Generations unit. They can:
- Connect you with culturally appropriate counselling
- Help navigate government systems
- Advocate for you with services
- Provide information about reparations
Call (03) 9603 9380 and ask for the Stolen Generations unit.
Reparations and compensation
There are some avenues for compensation or reparation:
- Victorian VOICA scheme (Victims of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse) — for those who experienced institutional child sexual abuse
- National compensation schemes for institutional abuse
- Some specific Stolen Generations reparations discussions are ongoing at a government level
Do not sign any compensation documents from a government department without getting legal advice first from VALS (1800 641 072) or Swan Hill CLC (03 5032 1688).
Counselling and mental health support
The trauma of the Stolen Generations is real and ongoing. Support is available:
- MDAS Mildura mental health team — (03) 5023 5023 — culturally safe
- headspace Mildura — (03) 5022 5444 — for younger people (12-25)
- VACCHO can refer you to specialist trauma counselling
It’s not just about you — it’s intergenerational
Stolen Generations trauma affects not only those who were removed, but their children and grandchildren. Support services are available for families. If you’re a family member, you can access support too.
You are not alone. This affects mob all over Australia.