Who carried out or enforced the stolen generation policy?

The Stolen Generations policy in Australia was carried out and enforced by various entities, including government departments, child welfare agencies, and police forces. The policy aimed to forcibly remove Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities and place them in institutions, missions, or foster homes, often with non-Indigenous families.

1. Aboriginal Protection Boards: These boards were established in each state and territory of Australia and were responsible for overseeing the removal of Aboriginal children. The boards were made up of government officials, police officers, and community members, and they had the authority to decide which children would be taken from their families.

2. Police Officers: Police officers were often involved in carrying out the physical removals of children from their families. They would enter Aboriginal communities and forcibly remove children, often without any explanation or warning.

3. Child Welfare Agencies: Child welfare agencies, both government-run and private, played a significant role in the Stolen Generations policy. These agencies would receive children who had been removed from their families and place them in institutions, missions, or foster homes.

4. Missionaries: Missionaries from Christian organizations were also involved in the Stolen Generations policy. They established missions in remote areas and often took in Aboriginal children who had been removed from their families.

5. Government Departments: Various government departments, including departments of Aboriginal affairs and child welfare, were responsible for implementing and overseeing the Stolen Generations policy. These departments would develop policies and procedures for the removal of children and monitor the work of the Aboriginal Protection Boards and child welfare agencies.

6. Medical and Health Professionals: Medical and health professionals, including doctors and nurses, were sometimes involved in the Stolen Generations policy. They would often provide medical examinations and assessments of Aboriginal children to determine their "suitability" for removal.

It's important to note that the Stolen Generations policy was a systemic issue that involved multiple levels of government and society, and the responsibility for its implementation and enforcement lies with various entities and individuals.