There is something particularly disturbing about the abuse of children in residential care; it is a phenomenon which makes a mockery of society’s good intentions. A broad definition of institutional abuse is any system, programme, policy, procedure or individual interaction with a child in placement that abuses, neglects, or is detrimental to the child’s health, safety, or emotional and physical well-being, or in any way exploits or violates the child’s basic rights. American research into the incidence rates of institutional abuse has consistently highlighted that children in residential facilities are more vulnerable to abuse than those who live in families, and that the under-reporting of abuse incidents within residential settings is a common occurrence. Child abuse of various kinds is common in residential settings, even in well-resourced facilities in the industrialized nations, and often persists for years without detection by the outside world. In this problem with no known borders, we are all responsible for the safety and well being of the world’s children. Through concerted, collaborative efforts, the integrity of resources that serve as a refuge for children can be improved. Preventing unwarranted placements, particularly those driven by poverty, a clear role for government, and the implementation of guidelines, standards of care and monitoring mechanisms are ways of improving quality of care and ensuring the safety of children in need of these resources.
This paper will utilize a case study to highlight the indicators of a culture of abuse as manifested in a residential home for girls. Each indicator is accompanied by several, non-exhaustive, points of assessment. Abuse often results as an interplay of a number of related factors. In this case study, children and female staff were abused and maltreated by an individual in a position of authority. The situation persisted due to the dire need for services and the absence of regular systematic outside scrutiny. Challenges in detecting and reporting maltreatment will be discussed as well as potential State actions and a mechanism for monitoring.