The Victorian Legal and Social Issues Committee has heard from Border residents on their experience of forced adoption, with some speaking for the first time.
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The Committee's inquiry into the practice and related institutional responses came to Wodonga for a hearing.
Inquiry chair, MP Natalie Suleyman and committee members Meng Heang Tak and Chris Couzens heard from more than 10 registered speakers at The Cube.
Wodonga's Merle Kelly told the inquiry of her treatment at the King George V Memorial Hospital for Mothers and Babies.
"I was treated as an object and not as the frightened 18-year-old that I was, whose whole world had collapsed," she said.
"Many snide remarks were made that I would not make a good mum as I didn't have a husband.
"Actually, I had been married six weeks before the due date and was told my husband already had a wife."
Ms Kelly was pressured into signing adoption papers just three days after the birth.
"I was not told that I had 30 days to reconsider my decision," she said.
"No concept of adoption trauma was ever mentioned nor admitted by any of the many counselling services that I attempted to get help from over the last 60 years.
"Their answer was that I signed the papers, so what did I want them to do?"
Ms Kelly's recommendations for change included a redress scheme.
"Counselling by a trauma specialist should be a lifetime (option) for the whole three sides of the adoption triangle," she said.
"Birth parents should be notified in the case of serious illness to the child, the death of the child, adoption breakdown or the child returning into the system for any reason."
Margie Broughton also spoke of her experience.
"(I was told) 'Go away and forget this ever happened to you, we don't want to see you back here again'," she said.
"These words echo through the five decades.
"Leaving my son was the hardest thing I've ever done.
"My son found me and by the grace of God, we continue to build a step-by-step relationship.
"That trauma had an impact on my physical health ... the grief and pain after trauma subsides, but it never really leaves completely.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"There's more to my story ... but I hope my testimony will be of help to this important inquiry."
MP Natalie Suleyman thanked those who gave evidence and said their bravery would help the inquiry effect change.
"We will table our report in August with some strong recommendations on all the evidence we have heard throughout the inquiry," she said.
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