Institutional Abuse Perspectives Across the Life Course

Public inquiries and court cases concerning institutional abuse in a range of settings have generated considerable media interest in the field of institutional abuse, highlighting the need for preventive strategies and appropriate responses to this form of abuse. "Letting In the Light" brings together a number of different research studies and accounts of institutional abuse from leading academics and researchers. Contributors examine four significant areas: the institutional abuse of children, of adults with mental health problems, of adults with learning difficulties, and of older people. Each section includes a chapter on users' experiences of abuse and their views on how to prevent institutional abuse and address the needs of survivors.

Institutional Abuse brings together a number of different research studies and accounts of institutional abuse from leading academics and researchers. Public enquiries and court cases concerning institutional abuse in a range of settings have generated considerable media interest and have highlighted the need for preventative strategies and appropriate responses. Four areas of abuse are covered: *the abuse of children *the abuse of adults with mental health problems *the abuse of adults with learning difficulties *the abuse of older people. Each section includes a chapter which reports on users' experiences of abuse and their views as to how institutional abuse can be prevented and survivors' needs met.

Introduction 1 The institutional abuse of children: an overview of policy and practice 2 The abuse of children in institutional settings: children’s perspectives 3 Independent investigations into institutional child abuse: developing theory and practice 4 Abuse of people with learning disabilities: layers of concern and analysis 5 Users’ perceptions: searching for the views of users with learning disabilities 6 The abuse of adults in mental health settings 7 Institutional abuse in mental health settings: survivor perspectives 8 The abuse of older people in institutional settings: an overview 9 The abuse of older people in institutional settings: residents’ and carers’ stories 10 The abuse of older people in institutional settings: the role of management and regulation 11 Conclusion: shifting the focus, from ‘bad apples’ to users’ rights

Manthorpe, Jill; Penhale, Bridget; Stanley, Nicky