Involuntary sterilization and abortion at the First Department of Gynecology at the University of Munich between 1933 and 1945: An attempt to aid thevictims

Background: Ideas of social Darwinism and eugenics and nationalism intertwi ned in Germany around 1905 and led to the concept of racial hygiene. This w as put into practice by the Nazi regime. Under the "Law for the Prevention of Congenitally Deformed Descendents", between 300,000 and 400,000 people w ere involuntarily sterilized between 1933 and 1945. Method: A total of 1345 enforced sterilizations, including 58 compulsory ab ortions, were performed at the First Department of Gynecology at the Univer sity of Munich. 33.2% of these women were sterilized because they were cons idered mentally deficient but in 27.9% the records contained no explicit in dication. Results: Financial compensation for the victims has been possible since 198 0 but has been complicated by the passage of time and social stigmatization . Conclusion: The First Department of Gynecology undertook an attempt to cont act the involuntarily sterilized women to express a belated apology on beha lf of the department, to provide support for applications for financial com pensation, and to offer counselling for coping with the physical and emotio nal trauma of compulsory sterilization. The reaction of the women has been very positive.