Misuse of Power in Professional Education Organizations
Strategies of Child Protection in Organizations and Its Implementation

In 2010 a broad discussion on the issue “misuse of power against children and adolescents in educational, physical and mental health institutions” started in Germany. Since than research focusses on the question: how can the safetyness of children, as a basic children´s right, be improved and which kind of organizational strategies regarding intervention and prevention have to be implemented? Research projects of the University of Hildesheim, the University of Applied Sciences Landshut and the University Children´s Clinic of Ulm found out about the different needs of children, youth and care givers according to these strategies. Studies indicate the necessity to reflect power structures in child and youth care services. In need is also a new definition of attachment and distance in professional relationships between care givers, children, adolescents and young adults.

The presentation will discuss outcomes of present German studies on child protection and children´s rights in organizations. Furthermore it is the question, how can children and adolescents be prepared for the fact that professionals can be harmful? How much insecurity in educational settings and relationships is necessary?