The Vienna Institutional Abuse-Study (VIA-S)

Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of children in institutions of the “Wiener Jugendwohlfahrt” (child welfare system of the City of Vienna) was taking place until the 1980s and only in the last several years the public has become aware of this topic and the corresponding authorities have started to clear up the situation.

In order to have an independent and objective look at this abuse and its consequences, from which the affected persons still suffer today, this research project, funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and examined by international experts, was initiated at the Faculty of Psychology (University of Vienna).

The aim of this project is to scientifically and systematically investigate the psychosocial long-term correlates of institutional abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) in institutions of the child welfare system of Vienna, in order to develop approaches for the prevention of future abuse and for the current support of affected persons.

This research project was officially initiated on June 1, 2014, and will run until May 31, 2017. The questionnaires and interviews started in September 2014. You will find information on how potential participants are contacted in the menu item General project information.

On the following pages you will find information on the research team, the project process, cooperation partners, and a project diary with information about the course of the research project.

All data from study participants are treated anonymously and as strictly confidential.  see Data Privacy Protection