The ICA Section on Archives and Human Rights (ICA/SAHR) is proud to announce the release of the “Guidance on Access to Childhood Records“ a comprehensive document designed to support professional archivists in managing sensitive archives relating to individuals who were either adopted or placed in care during childhood.
Archives relating to individuals who experienced adoption or childhood care placements are among the most sensitive and challenging types of records that archivists encounter. The information contained within these documents can often be shocking, traumatic, or deeply hurtful, raising significant concerns about personal privacy and even personal safety. This new guidance document aims to address the wide range of issues involved, offering an international perspective and providing examples of archival best practices.
Commissioned by the then-President of ICA following the Rome ICA Conference of 2022, this document is the result of over a year of extensive consultation and drafting by members of SAHR. The present edition, finalized and submitted to ICA’s Executive Board in 2024, reflects the collective expertise and experience of professionals dedicated to ensuring sensitive and ethical management of childhood records.
Reflecting on the significance of this work, Christine Martinez from Archivists without Borders remarked,
The search for origins undertaken by people who have been placed in care or adopted is a courageous step that enables a process of personal [re]construction or development. The child is not responsible for what has happened to him or her, so support in this search process is taken into account in child protection and rights mechanisms, such as the 1993 Hague Convention. All this is only possible if access to the relevant records is facilitated (…) These records are fragile, sensitive and generally difficult to access, or have even disappeared in many countries, because they are often created and kept by local or private archive institutions (nurseries, for example) which do not have the resources or skills to manage them, while the above example is indicative of the interest shown in them by those concerned. We must help them! We need to provide them with the most practical help and advice possible. Our profession has a humanitarian dimension: by adopting and implementing the Guidance on Access to Childhood Records, we/you have an incredible opportunity to help people feel better about their lives.
Key highlights of the guidance include:
- A review of the wide-ranging issues related to childhood records, acknowledging the many variations in childhood experiences and legal frameworks across different countries.
- Examples of best practices for archivists to follow, ensuring that the handling of these records is conducted with the utmost care and respect for the individuals involved.
- Recommendations for balancing the need for access with the imperative to protect personal privacy and safety.
The ICA invites archivists and interested parties to review the guidance document and to contribute their comments and suggestions for future editions. Feedback can be directed to the editor, Dr. David Sutton, at d.sutton@reading.ac.uk.
For more information, please visit: https://www.ica.org/ica-network/professional-sections/sahr/resources/
