Survivor Exposes Horrors of Johanna-Helene-Heim: Routine Drug Use, Operations, Abuse
Thomas Frauendienst, a survivor of the Johanna-Helene-Heim in Volmarstein, has spoken out about his harrowing experiences in the institution. Routine use of psychotropic drugs to 'ease operations' was common, as revealed in a recent study. Frauendienst received financial compensation for his ordeal and now lives with 20 confirmed illnesses, many acquired during his time there.
Frauendienst's earliest memories are of violence, neglect, sexual abuse, and over 80 operations. Registered as number 2033 in the chief physician's book 'Children in special use', he was subjected to numerous operations and medications. Born with 'inverted feet' and unwanted by his family, he was placed in the institution at a young age.
A deaconess's intervention in 1968 led to Frauendienst's removal, as his family faced exposure. The author of the book 'Gewalt in der Pflege behinderter Menschen. Die Johanna-Helenen-Heim in Volmarstein von 1947 bis 1967', published in 2010, is Bettina Bergmann. A study found that around 20% of young people in similar institutions in NRW were affected by severe forms of abusive medication use, with drugs systematically employed to sedate and control children and youth.
Frauendienst's recovery has been long and challenging, but he has made peace with his past and his now deceased parents. Despite the trauma, he has received financial compensation from the Diakonie and the Recognition and Help Foundation. His story sheds light on the dark history of institutions like the Johanna-Helene-Heim and the need for continued vigilance and support for survivors.
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