Citation

Harris P. Adopt. Foster. 2014; 38(1): 49-59.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, British Association for Adoption and Fostering, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0308575913518002

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article focuses on a group whose voice is rarely heard: adopted adults who have been abused or neglected within their adoptive family. The findings are drawn from a larger study of post-adoption services and suggest that the abuse and neglect of children by adoptive family members may be more common historically than has been hitherto acknowledged. The article considers this finding in the context of the changes that have occurred in adoption legislation, policy and practice since these adults were placed. It highlights barriers to effective support for abused adopted adults and discusses their support needs. By looking at one aspect of what can go wrong in adoptions - abuse and neglect perpetrated by adoptive family members - it is argued that appropriate support will not be forthcoming unless we are truly hearing what people want. Suggestions are made regarding the development of support services for abused adopted adults and their birth parents and opportunities for adopted children to disclose maltreatment.

Language: en