Glossary

Between 1953 and 1969 people who had been persecuted under National Socialism could claim financial »compensation« on the basis of the Federal Compensation Law (BEG) enacted by the West German government. People who had been persecuted on »political, racial, religious or ideological grounds« were eligible to make a claim. However, the provisions excluded many people who had been persecuted, including homosexuals, forced labourers, Roma and Sinti, but also »asocials« and »career criminals«.

The female criminal investigation department was a distinct branch of the Criminal Police tasked with prosecuting offences involving minors. Female officers were expected to combine both welfare and policing roles. During the National Socialist era, the department targeted youths deemed deviant and women accused of prostitution. As a tool of terror, it oversaw youth concentration camps.

During the National Socialist period doctors forcibly sterilised around 400,000 people. The Nazis considered mental and physical traits to be hereditary. For this reason, they took action against people they considered »inferior«; these people were to be prevented from having children. Around 5,000 people died as a result of this medical procedure; others were later murdered in clinics. Hundreds of thousands remained childless due to this state-organised measure.

During the National Socialist period doctors forcibly sterilised around 400,000 people. The Nazis considered mental and physical traits to be hereditary. For this reason, they took action against people they considered »inferior«; these people were to be prevented from having children. Around 5,000 people died as a result of this medical procedure; others were later murdered in clinics. Hundreds of thousands remained childless due to this state-organised measure.