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Bullying, sexual harassment and happiness in residential children's homes
Author(s) -
Gibbs Ian,
Sinclair Ian
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
child abuse review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1099-0852
pISSN - 0952-9136
DOI - 10.1002/1099-0852(200007/08)9:4<247::aid-car619>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - harassment , context (archaeology) , happiness , psychology , criminology , sexual abuse , suicide prevention , poison control , social psychology , environmental health , medicine , geography , archaeology
Much is now known about bullying and, to some extent, sexual harassment in settings such as schools. In residential children's homes, however, the two remain disturbing features of institutional life. This is a particular cause for concern as many of the residents in these homes, given their troubled backgrounds, are at greater risk of becoming victims of perpetrators. This article looks at the incidence and effects of these related maladies within the context of a wider study involving 223 children in 48 residential homes in five local authorities. The study found that fellow residents, rather than staff, were the main sources of physical and sexual abuse. Both bullying and harassment (actual and attempted) were strongly associated with the widespread misery reported by many residents. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.