Karen Amos of Somersworth, an adoptee who runs a search and support group called Circle of Hope on the Seacoast, said she is also concerned with the potential for violating rape and incest victims. She said she knows a woman who bore a child after being gang-raped and told no one. The Oregon law gives birth mothers some say in what happens after birth certificates are opened. If they choose not to be contacted, they must still submit a detailed family medical history for the adoptee. Open records proponents point out that confidentiality isn't guaranteed even in a completely closed system.
Adoptees still search for their origins and often succeed.
Regardless of how the birth mother-child reconnection takes place, Barnes said it's important they have access to good, experienced adoption counseling. No party to a reunion knows what they will find, and issues are often challenging and emotionally charged. But Chagnon said she didn't think counseling or any other intermediary should be a prerequisite for opening records. All legislative sponsors and members of this organization will be informed of our policy on this matter to ensure that the bill is pulled promptly in the event of such revisions. Oregon's new adoption law, Measure 58, was finally implemented on May 31 after a lengthy legal battle of 19 months duration.