[Concentration camp imprisonment and psychological traumatization]

The author reports on a Norwegian investigation extending over more than 30 years, which showed that, apart from a few exceptions, all former concentration camp inmates and prisoners in Nazi jails manifest permanent physical and psychic damage. On the basis of these findings the Norwegian government has established a generous statutory compensation program. Unlike its counterpart in the Federal Republic of Germany, this program does not require applicants to demonstrate the cause of illness or its consequences in each case. The method of the investigation is presented in detail.