Children deported to St. Peter-Ording: Making traumas of the past visible

Children deported to St. Peter-Ording: Making traumas of the past visible

In St. Peter-Ording, an important step is currently being taken to come to terms with the painful history of children being sent away. Today there are around 325,000 children who were sent to over 40 children's sanatoriums between 1945 and 1990, primarily for “nurturing” purposes, as NDR reports. According to estimates, the number of children sent to Germany amounts to 6 to 8 million. These children were expected to spend between three to six weeks in special facilities while their parents were not present. However, the reality for many was often characterized by coercion and isolation, as the reports from those affected show.

The round table, which was launched in September 2024 on the initiative of the home group “Schickungskinder SPO”, aims to make the often painful experiences of these children visible. These include reports of violence, forced eating and mental humiliation. Claudia Johansson, herself one of the children sent away, and other participants discuss under the leadership of experts such as Dr. Helge-Fabien Hertz the individual fates and challenges. The table includes former spa children, residents, as well as representatives of the community and the state of Schleswig-Holstein.

The experiences of the children who were deported

Many of the children in these homes experienced emotional and physical abuse. As the NDR report explains, the reports about these experiences are alarming. Forced eating and strict rest periods were often justified as educational measures, but these practices are now increasingly viewed as forms of psychological violence. A study by the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel undertakes an in-depth analysis and brings light into this dark time. Historians have revealed that corporal punishment and punitive measures have long been considered normal methods of education.

Other horrific facts have also been documented, including the use of sedatives, often without the parents' knowledge. Many children in the homes were treated with medication to curb their restlessness, which represents another aspect of the abuse. Sylvia Wagner, pharmacist, documents these practices and the associated risks. The use of medication is an example of the disgusting disregard for children's rights.

A healthy reappraisal

The round table not only discusses the dark chapters, but also aims to develop a joint declaration. After four sessions, a permanent exhibition is planned in the Eiderstedt Museum Landscape to make this topic visible for future generations. Accompanied by a strong desire to be heard in society, those affected demand a comprehensive process that goes beyond the past mistreatment.

Unfortunately, many of those affected feel let down by politics. Nevertheless, there is hope that the project can serve as a model for other places to shed light on the individual fates of children who have been deported. Historically, this is a necessary step to give deported children the recognition they so desperately need.

The road to justice is rocky, but with every story that is told, hope grows for better understanding and a protected future for future generations. It is up to all of us to listen to this often forgotten group of children and not ignore their stories.