Stefan Cojocaru

An Introduction to Maltreatment of Institutionalized Children

This chapter serves as an introduction to the concept of maltreatment of children and provides a very brief overview of published research that has been pivotal in the development of defining and describing this concept. First, we provide an understanding of how maltreatment has been defined historically and how definitions have changed over time, leading to current definitions used by researchers and child welfare organizations. Maltreatment is also described within the context of trauma and sociocultural issues that are associated with it. We also provide a brief review of the consequences of various types of childhood maltreatment on biological, psychological, academic, and social functioning. Then, using mainly the World Health Organization definitions of maltreatment (i.e., neglect and negligent behavior; emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; as well as witnessing violence), we discuss forms of child victimization within the context of institutionalization, including types and factors that increase the risk of maltreatment in long-term residential institutions, and consequences on well-being.