[Violence and negligence to children and adolescents in institutions]

Institutional abuse comprises a structural aspect directly bound to the institutional area itself as well as direct abuses of all kinds which are committed by members of the staff. Such direct abuses can be felt by those who enact them or by observers as being legal in their context or as illicit and therefore concealed. Information about violence in institutions is rarely found in scientific literature. Some books, usually underground, and newspapers deal with the problem. Testimony from professionals working within institutions may not be justified or may be flawed by ulterior motive. However, when correctly decyphered and interpreted, it is absolutely necessary. Enquiries are difficult and not always conclusive. The paper presents a typology of "violent" institutions and proposes some recommendations to make this problem better known.