INSTITUTIONAL CHILD ABUSE IN RESIDENTIAL CHILDHOOD PROTECTION CARE CENTERS IN NORTHERN CHILE: PERSPECTIVES AND MEANINGS OF PROFESSIONALS / CAREGIVERS

The present study aimed at the issue of institutional child abuse (ICA) in residential child protection centers in northern Chile. The objective was to describe, from the point of view of the professionals/caregivers of these centers, the situations of child abuse suffered by children and adolescents in these protective contexts and also to identify the institutional components that favor and maintain this type of institutional violence. Data were obtained from 16 semi-structured interviews with professionals/caregivers who worked at any point in their professional careers in these protection centers. A qualitative analysis was carried out to capture the perspectives of professionals/caregivers and to elaborate the content analysis. The results indicate that children and adolescents have experienced various types of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse within these centers, in addition to exposure to child sexual exploitation networks and drug use. The infrastructure, the educational project, the institution’s characteristics, the professionals, and the care system organization were identified as components that favor and maintain ICA. Aspects that should be considered in public policy for the organization of alternative care for children and adolescents under state protection.