What does "institutional abuse" refer to?

"Institutions" typically refer to organized settings where individuals, especially vulnerable populations such as children, receive care, education, or support. Therefore, "institutional abuse" specifically relates to abuse that occurs within these care settings, which can include schools, foster homes, group homes, hospitals, and residential treatment centers. In these environments, caregivers or staff members hold a position of power and authority over the individuals in their care, and abuses can manifest in various forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect.

This definition separates institutional abuse from other contexts, such as abuse in family homes, which would not be classified as institutional but rather familial. Similarly, community settings and public campaigns do not fit this definition, as they do not involve the structured care environments that characterize institutional abuse. Thus, the correct identification of institutional abuse firmly roots it in care settings, making that answer appropriate and accurate.