An ITV investigation has found chilling evidence that unmarried mothers in England fear they were given a dangerous drug now linked to cancers and other serious conditions while in state institutions in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
Stilbestrol, commonly known as DES was a synthetic hormone, prescribed to dry up breast milk and recommended for use in mother and baby homes in England for decades.
In the 40 years after World War Two, an estimated 200,000 unmarried mothers gave birth in these institutions run by the church or state and were pressured to put their babies up for adoption.
ITV’s Tonight programme broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm on February 20, titled ‘Forced Adoption: Britain’s Silent Scandal’ explores one of Britain’s darkest social injustices and the lifelong consequences.
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