Claire Topsom
‘Asocials’ were targeted for persecution by the Nazis from 1933 to 1945, but were not recognised as a persecuted group until 2020. ‘Asocials’ are categorised as ‘forgotten victims’ of the Holocaust, along with other groups such as gypsies and homosexuals.
However the term ‘forgotten’ is misleading as ‘asocials’ are referred to in literature; their experiences have been neglected through a lack of focused attention, reflecting a discomfort in acknowledging their victim status.
Research in the German language focusing on female ‘asocials’ has grown, however is limited in English. My research will bridge this gap by exploring why female ‘asocials’ were detained, the relationship they had with other inmates and what survivor guilt and testimony reveal about continued negative stereotypes of female ‘asocials’.1
Current research of ‘asocials’ is reflective of the problematic nature of the definition of the term and continued stigmatisation of ‘asocial’ categories; records from the ITS and current historiography indicate female ‘asocials’ were detained mainly for prostitution which is connected with health issues, crime and poverty. Yet there are records documenting ‘asocial’ women detained for selling ‘bootleg’ schnapps or because a family member had deserted their military duty.
The Nazis generalised female ‘asocials’ with ‘crimes’ of a sexual nature, raising the question, was this due to the vagueness of the category? My research will
address the connection with ‘asocials’ selling or trading sex in Holocaust history which has complicated research: the use of sex is interpreted as either an act of sexual violence, form of collaboration or criminal act further stigmatising female ‘asocials’.
Survivor testimony reflects negative stereotypes; female ‘asocials’ were untrustworthy and devious thus challenging the notion of a sisterhood in the camps. I will explore why there was a divide between the inmates. The majority of survivor testimony are from political prisoners and reflect negative attitudes, but what about the other inmates detained, did they feel the same towards ‘asocials’ or are we seeing the impact of survivor guilt? Therefore, I will explore testimony from other groups, such as Soviet prisoners and liberators, gaining more insight into the relationship and status of ‘asocials’.
Na’ama Shik summarised the responsibility we have as researchers and readers of the Holocaust, that survivors want their testimony to be heard and their ‘trauma held without judgement’.2
‘Asocial’ women have not had that experience. They were judged as committing a social crime before they were interned, were unruly and sexual deviants. My research will challenge the quietness surrounding female ‘asocials’ prolonging the acknowledgement of their victim status.