violence against children WORLD REPORT ON - CRIN

5its implementation. At the time when theestablishment of care institutions for childrenin disadvantaged and marginal groups was apreferred social policy, corporal punishmentwas almost universally endorsed for the disciplineand control of unruly children. Thiseffectively meant that institutionalised childrenwere exposed to a brutal regime and tofrequent violence. In all regions, by omissionor commission, this situation still prevails.Low priorityDespite changes in child care practice andthe evolution of children’s rights, includingjuvenile justice standards, reform has beenslow to take place in institutions. Few Governmentshave set about de-institutionalisingas many children as possible in keepingwith their human rights obligations. This ismainly because of the low level of importanceaccorded to the most disadvantaged childrenin society – those who have been orphaned,abandoned, those living with disabilities, orin conflict with the law.Far too often, children needing care and protectionoutside the family become the focusof policy attention only when some notoriouscare system failure or rampant abuse occurs.This lack of priority in policy terms meansthat conditions in residential care and juveniledetention centres are frequently poor,with inadequate (sometimes life-threateninglymeagre) nutrition, hygiene and health care.Low levels of funding result in a lack of properlyqualified professionals. In Azerbaijan, for example,a 2005 report indicated that not one of thecountry’s 69 residential care institutions hada child psychologist on staff, despite the identifiedneed for such expertise. 13 There may inaddition be no specialised facilities for children.In Northern Ireland, for example, only 15 bedsare available for adolescents with severe mentalhealth problems. 14Inadequate staffingUnqualified and poorly remunerated staff arewidely recognised as a key factor linked to violencewithin institutions. Low pay and statusfrequently result in poorly motivated employeesand rapid staff turnover, and under-staffing is aserious problem. For example, in a number ofcountries it has been documented that staffingratios in institutions for children with disabilitiesmay be as high as one hundred children for eachstaff member. Under such conditions, childrenare often left unattended for long periods, andovernight entire wards are unattended or padlocked,with only a skeleton night shift. Physicaland sexual abuse in such instances is rife. 15Relatively few staff in care institutions receiveany special training in child development orrights, or information about issues of violence. Ininstitutions for children with disabilities, inadequatelytrained staff can be quick to lash out atthe children. 16 Overwhelmed staff may resort toviolent measures to maintain discipline, particularlywhen supervision is lacking. Staff ‘burnout’results in increasingly negative attitudes towardschildren and in patterns of physical and impulsiveresponses to confrontation. 17Individuals with histories of violence againstchildren, including sexual abuse and exploi-181Violence against Children in care and justice institutions