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Swiss Federal Act on Compulsory Social Measures and Placements prior to 1981

By March 9, 2017February 1st, 2021News from members

Switzerland is currently addressing a dark period in its social history, namely the fate of children and young people who were victims of compulsory social measures or forced fostering prior to 1981. The victims include so “contract children” (“Verdingkinder”), children in care, people subjected to administrative detention (people who, under an administrative procedure, were committed to secure institutions, in some cases even prison), people whose reproductive rights were violated (through abortion, sterilization or castration carried out forcibly or without consent), people who were compulsorily adopted, discrimination against travelers.
A Federal Act on Compulsory Social Measures and Placements prior to 1981 is going to come into force the first of April 2017. The aim of this Act is to acknowledge and redress the injustice suffered by victims of compulsory social measures and placements in Switzerland prior to 1981. It regulates: the solidarity contribution for the benefit of victims; the archiving and inspection of files; counselling and support for the persons affected; the academic inquiry and measures to raise public awareness; further measures in the interests of the persons affected.
More information can be found here

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