my website

Thanks for this report, i know much uglier things that swiss never talk about

@Bina

Do you realize it's precisely what you suggest that really was the root of evil here; the then perceived sense of "mutual responsibility and care for another". The Swiss authorities and a large part of society as a whole thought they were doing the right thing back then. Supposedly noble intentions sometimes have such devastating effects as these. The way to hell is paved with good intentions, indeed. Recognizing this is the way to go, and ultimately a very liberal mindset and social policy.

Stolen Generation in Switzerland

Not only children from single mothers were taken away. mY mother become a widow in 1939. Her three children were taken away from her and they were brought up by farmers . My youngest brother was given as young boy strong apple cider to drink . He ended up to be an alcoholic. Often I used to see my mother in tears as a child. As an adult I can understand why she was in tears. Unfortunately my mother could never witness that finally this has come in the open.

Separation from Soul

I appreciate all survivors sharing their stories as they have. Well done on pulling the curtain back on Switzerland, with it's "squeaky clean" imagine. I think true healing can only happen when the truth is accepted and it has been. You are on track ;). Maria's comment about separation from soul, I experienced too to survive. They call it dissociation but I don't care what they call it if it gets us to survive the unsurvivable! Transcending horror is rewarding - I commend them all.

preservation of human dignity

We (the victims) appeal to the social conscience of the individual. Every citizen has a social responsibility and needs to be aware of this. Do not let anything like this happen again! The unconditional preservation of human dignity must be the supreme law.

Deeply affecting

Thanks Dateline and David for this insightful report, shining a light on this little known issue...and yes, who would have thought this was going on in a so-called "goodie-goodie" country like Switzerland. The survivors featured in this report should also be commended for their bravery and grace. Deeply affecting.

Christianity the culprit

It was not only in Switzerland, in Austria in the 1930's my stepfather had the same happening to him. He was the child of a teenage mom, was taken away from her and put in an orphans home. At age 6 put into slavery, for reeducation, at a "righteous" christian family. He was treatet worse than their dog, regularily beaten, hard labour from dusk to dawn and had to sleep in the barn with the animals. He never got over it and hated the church and christianity with a passion and became a socialist.

...as ourselves

There seems to be no escape from stories of how 'those in charge' decided that they 'knew what was best' for the 'disadvantaged'. To think that such a society as the Swiss could treat these children so poor. It really highlights the inner demons we adults carry. Until we all come to realize that we need to be mutually responsible for one another, and care for another as ourselves, these problems will continue. There is much that is still undisclosed in this world.