Forced & Unknown Sterilization Reparations
Dear friend,
Since its inception in the early 1900’s, under California eugenics laws, thousands of individuals and people with disabilities were forcibly or unknowingly sterilized at state-run hospitals until 1979. This practice continued until 2010 at state prisons, mostly impacting women of color. California’s eugenics movement was so egregious that it was used as a blueprint by Nazi Germany during WWII.
To address this historic injustice, my office was successful in establishing the Forced or Involuntary Sterilization Compensation Program, which provides compensation to survivors. It is the first reparations program of its kind. Nothing can ever undo this wrong, but we are making progress in recognizing the injustice.
The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) has created an online portal where survivors of state-sponsored forced or unknown sterilization can apply for compensation until December 31, 2023.
| Apply for Funding Today |
If you or anybody you know is a survivor of forced or unknown sterilization from a state-run institution, and need assistance applying, I urge you to reach out to my office so that we can direct you to the necessary resources:
Los Angeles: (213) 483-5252
Sacramento: (916) 319-2052
Watch the latest news coverage of this issue here.
In Service,
WENDY CARRILLO
Assemblymember, District 52
Chair, Assembly Budget Subcommittee No.4 on State Administration
Chair, Select Committee on Young Girls and Women of Color
Vice Chair, Legislative Progressive Caucus