This article explores how children living in residential child and youth welfare facilities in Switzerland perceive safety within these institutions. Although residential care is intended to protect children from harm, many children still experience violence, neglect, and unsafety within these settings. Drawing on qualitative interviews with children aged 8 to 14, the study investigates how safety is experienced in relation to physical spaces, institutional structures, and relationships with professionals. The findings reveal a dual perception of residential care as both safe and unsafe. Key factors influencing children’s sense of safety include protection from external and internal threats, the ability to withdraw from or remain exposed to certain situations and individuals, and the quality and reliability of relationships with professionals.
The study shows that safety is closely linked to both children’s well-being and their vulnerability. It offers theoretical insights into how these concepts intersect and how they can be applied within the field of Childhood Studies. By centering children’s lived experiences, the article critically examines whether residential care institutions fulfill their normative mandate to ensure safety. It further contributes to broader debates on social justice in child welfare by advocating for a more nuanced understanding of safety—one that reflects the voices and experiences of those directly affected.
