Organized abuse in the GDR

Contact person

• Mr Philipp Laue, Institute of Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology Jena University Hospital, Germany

Topic and question

It is now known that seemingly apolitical crimes within the socialist dictatorship were coupled with official cover-ups or even state perpetration. This specific approach leads to special consequential burdens for those affected.

Up to now, hardly any attention has been paid to people affected by organized or institutional abuse in the GDR, a field of research that has only recently come into focus in the FRG as well.

Methodic procedure

Target groups: Victims of organized abuse in the former GDR and trauma therapists who work or have worked with victims.

1. Secondary analysis of existing data sets (e.g. reports collected by the Independent Inquiry into Sexual Child Abuse in Germany)
2. Interviews with persons affected by organised abuse and trauma therapists treating affected persons
3. File research in GDR archives