Generations of Swiss children lost their childhoods to state-endorsed
abuse and forced labour. This shocking report brings us their stories,
shedding light on a little-known dark chapter of Swiss history.

"Our
Switzerland, which always wants to be goodie-goodies, has so many
skeletons in its cupboard", Maria Magdalena tells us. Right up until
1981 the Swiss state sent thousands of teenagers like Maria to places
like Hindelbank women's prison for 're-education'. Accused of being
rebellious or promiscuous they were held indefinitely without trial. "I
was beaten for everything", Hugo Zingg, who was a so-called 'contract
child' recalls. Of the five children on the farm he was forced to work
on, he was the only one not to commit suicide. However, possibly the
most shocking story is that of Bernette Gechter. Her strictly religious
foster parents took her to a doctor at 7 years old, believing she was
sexually active. She was diagnosed with a brain disorder and forced to
undergo electro-shock therapy. At 18 when she became pregnant, they
aborted the baby and sterilized her because they thought she was unfit
to be a mother. The survivors are campaigning for recognition, but the
Swiss government still refuses to hold a full investigation or discuss
remuneration for the victims.