Beyond Adoption: Human Rights, Family Separation and Accountability

On July 30, 2026July 24, 2026 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adoptee Activism, Adoptee vulnerability, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, adoption and silence, adoption conversations, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive parent defensiveness, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Adoptive parents silence on illegal adoptions, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, China, Citizenship in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Family Preservation, Finding biological mother, first family separation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, State responsibilities in adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC, UN Joint Statement Illegal AdoptionLeave a comment

Lynelle calls for a new child and family rights system that preserves identity, family, culture, truth, belonging and accountability for all families.

Beyond Investigations: What Needs to Happen After?

On July 18, 2026July 8, 2026 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adoptee Activism, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, Adoption Conversations, adoption conversations, Adoption policy, adoption reform, adoptive parent reflection, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illegal Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, Justice Routes, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Reparation in Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, State responsibilities in adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC, UN Joint Statement Illegal AdoptionLeave a comment

Investigations are only the beginning. Lynelle discusses real solutions to address past illicit adoptions and prevent future human rights violations.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 6

On July 4, 2026May 27, 2026 By lynellelongIn Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, adoption and silence, Adoption Attachment, adoption conversations, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption estrangement, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent defensiveness, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth family trauma, Birth Parents Searching, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Family Preservation, Finding biological mother, First family responsibility, first family separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illegal Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Justice Routes, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Lived experience leadership, Motherloss, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Peer Support, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, reparative justice in adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, State responsibilities in adoption, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRCLeave a comment

Adoptee Lynelle and adoptive parent Kristin reflect on truth, accountability, grief, and whether honesty can create deeper connection within adoption.

Conversations Across Adoption – Part 5

On June 27, 2026May 27, 2026 By lynellelongIn Adoptee Anger, adoptee emotional burden, Adoptee Support, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, adoption accountability, adoption conversations, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Adoptive parents, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth mother choices, Birth Parents Searching, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Exploring adoptive parent journey, Finding biological mother, First family responsibility, first family separation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Costs, Post Adoption Support, Reparation in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, reunion trauma, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, State responsibilities in adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Adoptee Lynelle and adoptive parent Kristin reflect on reunion, first families, identity, grief, and the responsibilities created through adoption.

Adoption Across a Lifetime: Why Reform Must Move Beyond the Child-Centric Lens

On April 23, 2026April 23, 2026 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adjustment and Transition, Adoptee Activism, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Education for Professionals, Adoption policy, Adoption questions, adoption reform, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, DNA Searching, Family Preservation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Intercultural struggles, Is adoption the best option, Justice Routes, legal identity erasure, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Racial Mirrors, Racism in Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, State responsibilities in adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRCLeave a comment

Lynelle's opening keynote on intercountry adoption, exploring identity, lifelong impacts, and the urgent need to reform systems beyond a child-centric lens.

Book Review: Somewhere Sisters & Daughters of the Bamboo Grove

On August 3, 2025July 27, 2025 By lynellelongIn Adoptee vulnerability, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Book, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption reform, Adoptive parents silence on illegal adoptions, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth family trauma, Birth mother choices, Birth Parents Searching, Birth parents speak out, China, China, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Family Preservation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Grief and Loss, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Multiple Identities, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Religion and Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Trauma in Adoption, Twins in adoption, USA, VietnamLeave a comment

Lynelle reviews Somewhere Sisters and Daughters of the Bamboo Grove, exploring identity, nature vs. nurture, and the truths of twins separated by intercountry adoption.

Addressing Sexual Abuse in Intercountry Adoption

On November 18, 2024January 19, 2026 By lynellelongIn Abuse in Adoption, Adoptee Anger, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Discharge Annulment, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption reform, Adoption Research, Adoptive parents, Alternatives to Adoption, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Gratitude in Adoption, Is adoption the best option, Korea, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Philippines, Politics of Adoption, Post Adoption Support, Puerto Rico, Racism in Adoption, Religion and Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Romania, Russia, Sense of Belonging, Sexual Abuse in Adoption, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Suicide, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Therapy, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in Adoption, USA, VietnamLeave a comment

ICAVs newest Perspective Paper on Sexual Abuse experiences of intercountry adoptees helping to elevate their voices and advocate for much needed supports.

What Would My Utopia in Intercountry Adoption Be?

On March 13, 2022February 2, 2024 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Adjustment and Transition, Adoptee Activism, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Agencies, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption reform, Adoptive Country, Adoptive parents silence on illegal adoptions, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth Country, colourblindness in adoption, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Family Preservation, Illegal Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Not Knowing in Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, Racism in Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, Return to Birth Country, Rights in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Lynelle shares at the CHIP webinar Feb 2022 on what her utopia of intercountry adoption would be, if anything were possible, listing the changes necessary.

What’s the Future of Intercountry Adoption?

On March 11, 2022February 2, 2024 By lynellelongIn 1993 Hague Convention, Abandonment and Rejection, Adoptee Activism, Adoptee Anger, Adoptees Educate, Adoption Education for Adoptive Parents, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption reform, Adoptive Country, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth Country, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Family Preservation, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Politics of Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Search and Reunion in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Presentation by Lynelle Long at the CHIP Webinar on 18 Feb 2022 on the topic: Respecting the Child's Right to Identity in Intercountry Adoption

Accepting Responsibility as An Adoption Facilitator

On February 8, 2022November 3, 2026 By Guest BloggerIn 1993 Hague Convention, adoption accountability, Adoption Agencies, adoption and power imbalance, adoption conversations, Adoption Conversations, Adoption Education for Professionals, Adoption questions, adoption reform, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Adoptive parents, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth family trauma, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Family Preservation, Finding biological mother, first family separation, Forced separation, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Justice Routes, Legal routes for illegal adoption, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Politics of Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, Rights in Adoption, State responsibilities in adoption, Trauma in Adoption, Uganda, USA, What is an Illegal and Illicit Adoption?1 Comment

Jessica shares on the legal case against the traffickers of Namata, European Adoption Consultants (EAC). Great to see justice happening but long overdue!

Pain of Loss and the Joy at Seeing her Reunified with her Family

On January 9, 2022November 3, 2026 By Guest BloggerIn Adoptee vulnerability, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, Adoption Conversations, adoption conversations, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption reversal, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Adoptive parents, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, Birth mother choices, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, Family Preservation, Finding biological mother, first family separation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illegal Adoption, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, Importance of Connections to Origins, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, legal identity erasure, Legal routes for illegal adoption, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Origins Search, Politics of Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, Return to Birth Country, Return to Birth Country, right to identity, Rights in Adoption, Sense of Belonging, State responsibilities in adoption, Uganda, USA4 Comments

Jessica Davis shares her grief from returning her Ugandan daughter back to her biological family but also the joy at seeing them together. Adoption is complex.

From Tokenism to Social Justice

On June 6, 2021November 3, 2026 By julietteviaIn Adoptee Anger, Adoptee vulnerability, Adoptees Educate, Advocacy, Alternatives to Adoption, colourblindness in adoption, Complexities in Adoption, Critical Thinking in Adoption, denial gaslighting minimisation by others, Difficult discussions in adoption, Diversity in Adoption, Family Preservation, first family separation, Forced separation, Generational trauma, Gratitude in Adoption, Is adoption the best option, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Racism in Adoption, Rights in Adoption, Transracial Adoption, Trauma in AdoptionLeave a comment

Marie Gardom shares how we can move from Tokenism to Social Justice in adoption. Inclusion of adoptees needs to recognise adoptees as the experts of our experience.

The Lie We Love

On May 8, 2021November 3, 2026 By Guest BloggerIn 1993 Hague Convention, adoption accountability, adoption and power imbalance, Adoption Education for Professionals, adoption reform, adoption reversal, adoptive family dialogue, adoptive parent reflection, adoptive parent responsibility, Alternatives to Adoption, Compensation to Victims in Adoption, Difficult discussions in adoption, Family Preservation, human rights abuses in adoption, identity restoration, Illicit Adoption, Impacts to Biological Families, intercountry adoption investigation, Is adoption the best option, legal identity erasure, Legal routes for illegal adoption, Lifelong Impacts of Adoption, Reparation in Adoption, reparative justice in adoption, Rights in Adoption, State responsibilities in adoption, Uganda, UN Joint Statement Illegal Adoption, USA, What is an Illegal and Illicit Adoption?3 Comments

Jessica Davis writes critically about the lie we love and how our actions can perpetuate a system that separates families, instead of preserving them.