Remaking collective knowledge: An analysis of the complex and multiple effects of inquiries into historical institutional child abuse.

This article provides an overview and critical analysis of inquiries into historical institutional child abuse and examines their multiple functions and complex effects. The article takes a broadly international view but focuses primarily on Australia, the UK and Ireland, jurisdictions in which there have been major national inquiries. Drawing on sociological and other social science literature, it begins by considering the forms, functions, and purposes of inquiries. An overview of emergent concerns with institutional abuse in the 1980s and 1990s is then provided, followed by an examination of the response of many governments since that time in establishing inquiries. Key findings and recommendations are considered. The final sections of the article explore the evaluation of inquiries, both during their operation and in their aftermath. Policy change and legislative reform are discussed but the focus is on aspects often underplayed or overlooked, including an inquiry's credibility, its role in processes of knowledge production, and the part it plays in producing social and cultural shifts. In the context of growing numbers of inquiries across Western democracies, including the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, it is argued that grasping the complexity of the inquiry mechanism, with its inherent tensions and its multiple effects, is crucial to evaluating inquiry outcomes.

Spedali Degli Innocenti, the Foundling Hospital in Florence, Italy.

The author reflects on a visit to the Ospedale Degli Innocenti, the former Renaissance foundling hospital in Florence, having escaped from an international clinical conference. He considers the symbolism of the architecture and artwork in relation to its function as a sanctuary for abandoned children.

The Forced Surrender of Infants Born to Unwed Mothers in Southern Italy. A Case Study of Late Nineteenth Century Practices in the Town of Forio d'Ischia.

For many centuries, unwed mothers in southern Italy were forced to surrender their infants because of a number of social, religious, economic, and political pressures. This study focuses on the policies and practices that were in place in southern Italy regarding illegitimate infants in the late nineteenth century. A detailed analysis of the policies and practices present in the town of Forio d'Ischia during the 20-year period 1880-1899 is also presented. During these two decades, there were 37 illegitimate live births representing 0.70% of the 5249 live births recorded in this town. Although small in number, these illegitimate births, referred to as spuri in Italian, from the Latin spurius, meaning bastard, were managed by standard predetermined procedures. These included anonymity for the parents, the transfer of such infants to an official town receiver of foundlings, and their transport to Naples' orphanage, the Real Casa Santa dell'Annunziata. This orphanage maintained fairly detailed records about the children who were delivered to it. After a few days at the orphanage, infants were often entrusted to the care of external wet nurses, preferably outside of Naples. This was done in the belief that infant survival was better assured in more rural environments. The case of an illegitimate infant, Antonino Spinalbese, is presented in detail. Born on 14 February 1882 in the town of Forio d'Ischia, he was brought to the orphanage 4 days later. Following a two-day stay at the orphanage, he was entrusted to an external wet nurse, Michele Mondella, and her husband, Ciro Fiscale di Felice, a mariner in the town of Torre del Greco. The available evidence indicates that Antonino Spinalbese became a mariner like his stepfather. As a crew member of the passenger ship, Vulcano, he made three trips from Naples to New York City in 1922 and 1923.

¿Qué pasa en La Inclusa? The role of press scandals, doctors and public authorities in the evolution of La Inclusa de Madrid, 1890-1935.

Traditionally, infants abandoned at foundling hospitals were identified as "bastards" and "children of vice" whose health, to all intents and purposes, reflected the moral sins of their parents and thus, led to unavoidable mortality. By late 19th century, several changes challenged that consideration: a growing emphasis on the importance of fighting infant mortality, the appearance of a new, medicalized, ideal of motherhood, the spread of new medical theories, the appearance of disciplines like Child Health, the construction of pediatric wards, and maternity hospitals. The consequences of these changes had their greatest impact at La Inclusa due to its location in the capital city, close to the decision-making centres and as focus of the interest of the national media. This article examines the role of the press and the medical profession in successively denouncing La Inclusa's excess mortality during the period 1890-1935. By looking at daily press and medical publications, it sheds light on the uneven consequences of the press scandals denouncing foundlings' extreme mortality in the period. The first scandal (1899-1900) faded without acknowledging any excess foundling mortality; the second (1918) was initiated by the doctors in charge but only produced some changes. The third scandal (1927) was instrumental in bringing about the changes that would turn a century-old institution in a state-of-the art medicalized centre and the change from debris of society to healthy children of foundlings. The effects of the press coverage were not restricted locally to foundlings in Madrid, and had a wider impact: by making the public aware of the dire situation of foundlings, they contributed to the development of legislation related to the fight against infant mortality and the control of mercenary breastfeeding.

The Tinea Hospital in Granada, 1679-1923: an institution with a long history.

The Tinea hospital in Granada, Spain, was a charitable health facility founded in the 17th century and still treating patients well into the 20th century. The hospital accepted patients from anywhere, not only those residing in the surrounding area. We describe the hospital's founding and the characteristics of the patients and caregivers. We also discuss how tinea was considered at the time, including the typology and treatment protocols applied as well as diet and hygiene measures used. It is striking that a hospital so focused on treating a single disease did not produce studies on the condition or on the application of contemporary knowledge to guide treatment.

¿Qué pasa en La Inclusa? The role of press scandals, doctors and public authorities in the evolution of La Inclusa de Madrid, 1890-1935

Traditionally, infants abandoned at foundling hospitals were identified as «bastards» and «children of vice» whose health, to all intents and purposes, reflected the moral sins of their parents and thus, led to unavoidable mortality. By late 19th century, several changes challenged that consideration: a growing emphasis on the importance of fighting infant mortality, the appearance of a new, medicalized, ideal of motherhood, the spread of new medical theories, the appearance of disciplines like Child Health, the construction of pediatric wards, and maternity hospitals. The consequences of these changes had their greatest impact at La Inclusa due to its location in the capital city, close to the decision-making centres and as focus of the interest of the national media. This article examines the role of the press and the medical profession in successively denouncing La Inclusa’s excess mortality during the period 1890-1935. By looking at daily press and medical publications, it sheds light on the uneven consequences of the press scandals denouncing foundlings’ extreme mortality in the period. The first scandal (1899-1900) faded without acknowledging any excess foundling mortality; the second (1918) was initiated by the doctors in charge but only produced some changes. The third scandal (1927) was instrumental in bringing about the changes that would turn a century-old institution in a state-of-the art medicalized centre and the change from debris of society to healthy children of foundlings. The effects of the press coverage were not restricted locally to foundlings in Madrid, and had a wider impact: by making the public aware of the dire situation of foundlings, they contributed to the development of legislation related to the fight against infant mortality and the control of mercenary breastfeeding (AU)

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From foundling homes to day care: a historical review of childcare in Chile.

This article discusses significant changes in childcare policy and practice in Chile. We distinguish four specific periods of childcare history: child abandonment and the creation of foundling homes in the 19th century; efforts to reduce infant mortality and the creation of the health care system in the first half of the 20th century; an increasing focus on inequality and poverty and the consequences for child development in the second half of the 20th century; and, finally, the current focus on children's social and emotional development. It is concluded that, although Chile has achieved infant mortality and malnutrition rates comparable to those of developed countries, the country bears the mark of a history of inequality and is still unable to fully guarantee the health of children from the poorest sectors of society. Recent initiatives seek to improve this situation and put a strong emphasis on the psychosocial condition of children and their families.

From foundling homes to day care: a historical review of childcare in Chile / Desde la casa de expósitos a las salas cuna: revisión histórica del cuidado infantil en Chile / Desde a casa de crianças expostas para a creche: revisão histórica da puericultura no Chile

This article discusses significant changes in childcare policy and practice in Chile. We distinguish four specific periods of childcare history: child abandonment and the creation of foundling homes in the 19th century; efforts to reduce infant mortality and the creation of the health care system in the first half of the 20th century; an increasing focus on inequality and poverty and the consequences for child development in the second half of the 20th century; and, finally, the current focus on children’s social and emotional development. It is concluded that, although Chile has achieved infant mortality and malnutrition rates comparable to those of developed countries, the country bears the mark of a history of inequality and is still unable to fully guarantee the health of children from the poorest sectors of society. Recent initiatives seek to improve this situation and put a strong emphasis on the psychosocial condition of children and their families.

El artículo discute cambios significativos en políticas y prácticas del cuidado infantil en Chile. Se distinguen cuatro períodos históricos en los cuidados infantiles con las siguientes características: abandono infantil y la creación de la casa de expósitos en el siglo XIX; esfuerzos por disminuir la mortalidad infantil y la introducción de un sistema de salud en la primera mitad del siglo XX; un incremento en la atención de la desigualdad y la pobreza y sus consecuencias para el desarrollo infantil en la segunda mitad del siglo XX; y finalmente, una focalización en el desarrollo socioemocional de los niños. Se concluye que, aunque Chile ha alcanzado niveles de mortalidad infantil y desnutrición comparables a países desarrollados, todavía queda la marca de una historia de desigualdades que no permite garantizar completamente la salud de los niños más pobres. Recientes iniciativas tratan de mejorar esta situación y ponen un fuerte énfasis en las condiciones psicosociales de los niños y sus familias.

O artigo discute as mudanças significativas nas políticas e práticas sobre cuidado infantil, no Chile. Quatro períodos históricos foram estabelecidos, levando em consideração as seguintes características: abandono da criança e a criação de casas de crianças expostas no século XIX; esforços para reduzir a mortalidade infantil e a implementação de sistemas de cuidados de saúde na primeira metade do século XX; maior atenção à desigualdade e à pobreza, bem como as consequências que estas ações trouxeram para o desenvolvimento das crianças, na segunda metade do século XX; e, finalmente, a ênfase no desenvolvimento socioemocional das crianças. Conclui-se que, embora o Chile tenha alcançado taxas de mortalidade infantil e de desnutrição comparáveis às dos países desenvolvidos, há, ainda, indicadores históricos de desigualdade, que resultam na redução das garantias de acesso à saúde pública das crianças mais pobres. Iniciativas recentes procuram melhorar a situação e colocar a ênfase sobre as condições psicossociais de crianças e suas famílias.

From foundling homes to day care: a historicalreview of childcare in Chile / Desde la casa de expósitos a las salas cuna: revisión histórica del cuidado infantil en Chile / Desde a casa de crianças expostas para a creche: revisão histórica da puericultura no Chile

This article discusses significant changes in childcare policy and practice in Chile. We distinguish four specific periods of childcare history: child abandonment and the creation offoundling homes in the 19th century; efforts to reduce infant mortality and the creation of the health care system in the first half of the 20th century; an increasing focus on inequality andpoverty and the consequences for child development in the second half of the 20th century; and, finally, the current focus on children’s social and emotional development. It is concluded that, although Chile has achieved infant mortality and malnutrition rates comparable to those of developedcountries, the country bears the mark of a history of inequality and is still unable to fully guarantee the health of children from the poorest sectors of society. Recent initiatives seek to improve this situation and put a strong emphasison the psychosocial condition of children and their families. (AU)

El artículo discute cambios significativos en políticasy prácticas del cuidado infantil en Chile.Se distinguen cuatro períodos históricos en loscuidados infantiles con las siguientes características:abandono infantil y la creación de lacasa de expósitos en el siglo XIX; esfuerzos pordisminuir la mortalidad infantil y la introducciónde un sistema de salud en la primera mitaddel siglo XX; un incremento en la atención dela desigualdad y la pobreza y sus consecuenciaspara el desarrollo infantil en la segunda mitaddel siglo XX; y finalmente, una focalización en eldesarrollo socioemocional de los niños. Se concluyeque, aunque Chile ha alcanzado niveles demortalidad infantil y desnutrición comparablesa países desarrollados, todavía queda la marcade una historia de desigualdades que no permitegarantizar completamente la salud de los niñosmás pobres. Recientes iniciativas tratan de mejoraresta situación y ponen un fuerte énfasis enlas condiciones psicosociales de los niños y susfamilias. (AU)

Infancia en Argentina. Historia de sus referencias discursivas e institucionalización / Childhood in Argentina. History of its institutionalization and discursive references

Se presenta un relevamiento sistematizado de instituciones de infancia en Argentina donde se observa un pasaje de instituciones totales a abiertas y de las religiosas a las laicas. En el período Virreinal la atención a la infancia abandonada se da a través de asilos y orfanatos a cargo de órdenes religiosas y del Cabildo. Durante la Independencia, en dichas instituciones se afianzan criterios laicos y comienzan las sociedades de beneficencia. Ya en el período de Organización Nacional (Conservador), la gran inmigración agiganta el problema de la infancia y se crean instituciones totales laicas bajo control médico; la educabilidad apunta a la integración social. Surge el Patronato de la Infancia. En el período de democracia de participación ampliada que abarcan de 1916 a 1930, prevalecen criterios psicológicos prospectivos y de tratamiento especializado en instituciones; la higiene mental abre al tratamiento psicopatológico de la infancia; aparecen los primeros neuropsiquiátricos infantiles que forjan los criterios de higiene mental infantil. Recién en la década del 30Æ se institucionaliza la higiene mental infantil escolar y psicopatológica en términos de dispensarios y hospitales, hecho que abre paso a la formalización de la educación diferencial. Así van surgiendo instituciones abiertas preocupadas por las áreas educativas y vocacionales, surgiendo la especialidad de orientación educativa.(AU)

Infancia en Argentina. Historia de sus referencias discursivas e institucionalización / Childhood in Argentina. History of its institutionalization and discursive references

Se presenta un relevamiento sistematizado de instituciones de infancia en Argentina donde se observa un pasaje de instituciones totales a abiertas y de las religiosas a las laicas. En el período Virreinal la atención a la infancia abandonada se da a través de asilos y orfanatos a cargo de órdenes religiosas y del Cabildo. Durante la Independencia, en dichas instituciones se afianzan criterios laicos y comienzan las sociedades de beneficencia. Ya en el período de Organización Nacional (Conservador), la gran inmigración agiganta el problema de la infancia y se crean instituciones totales laicas bajo control médico; la educabilidad apunta a la integración social. Surge el Patronato de la Infancia. En el período de democracia de participación ampliada que abarcan de 1916 a 1930, prevalecen criterios psicológicos prospectivos y de tratamiento especializado en instituciones; la higiene mental abre al tratamiento psicopatológico de la infancia; aparecen los primeros neuropsiquiátricos infantiles que forjan los criterios de higiene mental infantil. Recién en la década del 30’ se institucionaliza la higiene mental infantil escolar y psicopatológica en términos de dispensarios y hospitales, hecho que abre paso a la formalización de la educación diferencial. Así van surgiendo instituciones abiertas preocupadas por las áreas educativas y vocacionales, surgiendo la especialidad de orientación educativa.

[Violence in residential care: a retrospective study from a psychotraumatological perspective]. / Gewalt in Wiener Heimen zwischen 1945 und 1990--eine retrospektive Studie aus psychotraumatologischer Perspektive.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Commissioned by the victims-organisation 'Weißer Ring', we conducted 130 interviews (34% female, 66% male, medium age of 53.6 years) during a period of 12 months (March 2011-March 2012). All of them reported that they had been traumatised children in residential care (1946-1975: 70%, 1976-1990: 25%). The interviews primarily aimed at providing expert estimates of the consequences of individual traumas in order to establish a valid basis for compensation. The later evaluation of the interviews allows insight in to forms and quantity of subjective experiences of trauma and of their consequences for later life; although-due to the sampling procedures-no reliable generalisations about the entire system of Social Pedagogy of the City of Vienna are possible. All 130 one-hour long, clinical-biographic interviews were conducted by the same expert (who has qualifications in general and in adolescent psychiatry). RESULTS: 98.5% report experiences of psychic, 96.2% of bodily and 46.9% of sexual violence. 45.5% also report some positive experiences (independent of the form of experienced violence). There are significantly more reports about the frequency of physical violence during 1946-1975, however not about other forms of violence than from the later years. Problems in later life emerge more frequently after experiences of sexual violence, such as instable career trajectories, instable partnerships, psychopathological symptoms and severe turbulences in one's life history. The experiences of physical violence correlate significantly higher with instable career trajectories and (not significantly) with criminal tendencies. The frequency of later psychiatric care is related to the length of time spent in residential care (but not significantly).