Munich reveals how to deal with home education and abuse!

Munich reveals how to deal with home education and abuse!

The city of Munich has taken on the processing of abuse experiences that experienced many children in homes, in which they have been placed by the youth welfare office since 1945. Findings from this time are alarming: Many of these children were exposed to serious acts of violence, especially sexual abuse. Benno Oberleitner, a 68-year-old man who went through various facilities as a "sentence", is one of numerous affected people. He suffered physical, sexual and psychological violence in homes such as the Munich-Kindl-Heim and Avenariushheim. Between 1945 and 1975, around 3,000 children were in the care of the Munich youth welfare office, whereby the exact numbers and the severity of abuse have so far been unclear, such as tz.de reported.

The city took a significant step towards dealing with this painful story in 2021 and set up an independent expert commission, which Ignaz Raab, a retired police officer, was managed. With a budget of 35 million euros, recognition performance was approved for those affected, but they only benefit people who were mediated by the youth welfare office in Heimen after 1945. Raab also appeals to the need for a "Bavarian Reference Act" in order to create a nationwide uniformity in the treatment of this topic.

scientific support and social responsibility

The processing process is scientifically accompanied by the German Youth Institute (DJI). The examination focuses on possible pedophile networks and the deeds between 1945 and 1990, whereby the DJI director Walper emphasizes that the deep causes of violence at that time should be illuminated. The aim is to understand and potentially reduce risks for sexualized violence. Mayor Dietl (SPD) emphasizes Munich's pioneering role in this Germany-wide matter, while the city council approved the 35 million euros mentioned in August 2024, as Deutschlandfunk reports.

The initiative of the angular table that is committed to the concerns of those affected evaluates these steps as "exemplary", but points out that the measures are too late for many. Most former home children are now in retirement age, and many have to suffer from the consequences of their experiences to this day.

long -term effects and persistent processing needs

The processing of home education and the associated abuse is a long overdue process. Historical reviews show that around 800,000 people in the old federal states between 1945 and mid-1970s were affected by home accommodation. The experience in the former Piusheim in Glonn is just one of many examples of systematic violence in homes. The history of home education is characterized by physical and psychological assault that affects the life path of many affected sustainably.

society still has difficulties to perceive the full extent of the violence suffered in homes. The political and social institutions are required to take responsibility for the historical misconduct and to take the voice of those affected seriously. Sensitization within nursing facilities is necessary to avoid future violent experiences and to tackle the traumatization of residents.

Benno Oberleitner and other affected people not only want to be heard, but actively participate in the processing. You can report to child protection to apply for the recognition services offered. The city of Munich must continue to accompany this process seriously and sustainably in order to return the victims from back then the dignity that was taken due to systematic violence.