There are unknown numbers of Victorian people conceived as the result of donor conception practices. The great majority are unaware of their donor conception status whilst others have been informed of the circumstances of their conception.
In many instances families have withheld from the child/children the truth concerning their donor conception as it has been, in the recent past, difficult for such families to find adequate support to deal with issues of disclosure.
In some circumstances, a donor conception is involved in IVF treatment, although it is more commonly a simpler procedure of self or clinical insemination.
VANISH can offer support to people affected by donor conception by way of referral to the Infertility Treatment Authority (ITA) which holds information regarding current Victorian legislation relating to the identification of donor parents. The ITA also offers a counselling service to any person with issues relating to a donor conception which occurred in Victoria, for more information please visit www.ita.org.au
VANISH can also provide individual support for people affected by donor conception. People affected by donor conception are also welcome to participate in appropriate VANISH Support Groups