Incidence, prevalence and trauma associated with exposure to violence in Romanian institutionalized children

Abstract

While violence against children is a world wide problem, much less is known about it in the former communist countries of Eastern and Central Europe. This study examines violence among a group of the most at-risk children, children institutionalized in Romania. Survey data were collected on 448 children from six institutions located in rural, urban and semi-urban settings. Results suggest that many children are exposed to violence in the institutions and report trauma. Sexual abuse is highly reported by both males and females. While the study cannot determine cause and effect, it outlines policy and practice implications for improving the life of the most at-risk children.