Institutional Betrayal

Institutional Betrayal

Institutional betrayal occurs when an organization fails to prevent harm or responds inadequately to reports of abuse. Rather than centering the victim’s experience, institutions often prioritize brand protection, public image, or internal cohesion. This secondary harm—being dismissed, doubted, or punished for speaking up—can be more psychologically damaging than the original abuse itself (Smith & Freyd, 2014).

Reference

Smith, C. P., & Freyd, J. J. (2014). Institutional betrayal. American Psychologist, 69(6), 575–587. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037564