Help for adopted people

Were you born in Switzerland and placed for adoption in another country between 1950 and 1970?
Are you looking for your roots in Switzerland?

According to Art. 268c para. 1 of the Swiss Civil Law, an adopted person can request information about the personal details of their biological parents at any time once they have reached the age of 18. 

The search for their own roots and the desire to get to know their biological parents is an important issue for adopted people. However, this also means a lengthy and possibly stressful process. Adopted persons have many questions. First and foremost, they want to know who the birth parents are. Many want to know why they were given up for adoption. This topic, in turn, sometimes preoccupies adoptees intensively. And not knowing or knowing their origins can generate feelings that are difficult to describe. Various contact points help those affected to find their origins.   

• PACH, Pflege- und Adoptivkinder Schweiz, helps people who were born in Switzerland to find their biological relatives and, if desired, mediates between those affected. They also support those affected in their process, even if contact is refused.
• If you allready know your place of birth: Each canton has a contact point for adopted persons (list of contact points). You can request information about the personal details of your biological parents.
• If you know the place of your birth, you may apply to the cantonal archives for access to your files.
• If you know that your adoption was arranged by Alice Honegger (Private Kinder- und Mütterfürsorge, Rapperswil) you may apply tho the Staatsarchiv Zürich.
• If you already know about your roots and the circumstances your adoption you may apply for compensation at the Federal Department of Justice. 

Solidarity contribution

The Federal Act on Compulsory Social Measures and Placements prior to 1981 (CSMPA) provides the legal basis for payments to be made to victims. In particular, it provides for what is known as a "solidarity contribution". This is intended as recognition of the injustice suffered by the victims, as well as being an expression of social solidarity.

The following persons are entitled to a solidarity contribution:

• those who were affected by compulsory social measures or placement in Switzerland prior to 1981 and
• whose physical, psychological or sexual integrity or mental development was directly and seriously impaired as a result of such measures. This includes, in particular, child labourers (known as "contract children"), children placed in homes or with foster families, or children subjected to administrative detention who experienced physical or psychological violence, sexual abuse or economic exploitation. Persons who were forced to give up their children/release their children for adoption or were forced to undergo sterilisation/castration or who were subjected to medical experimentation or administered medication against their will or without their knowledge are also considered to be directly and seriously impaired (more information)