Between Norms and Practice: A Socio-Legal Study of Factors Contributing to Abuse and Neglect of Children in Institutional Care in Kazakhstan

In a limited number of previous studies, child abuse and neglect were shown to be a problem in institutional care facilities in Kazakhstan, but no research has explained the reasons for them. The study objective is to identify the factors that explain abuse and neglect in residential care and to assess how current laws and law enforcement practices promote or hinder the protection of children in them. Data were collected through 32 unstructured online interviews with stakeholders from various fields of child protection across nine regions of Kazakhstan, combined with a socio-legal analysis of existing policy. The theoretical framework combines children's rights theory with the bioecological systems theory. The thematic analysis of coded data reveals systemic barriers such as personnel shortages, inadequate training and inconsistent procedures. Sociocultural factors include the absence of a zero-tolerance culture, hierarchical power relations within institutions and a limited understanding of children's emotional and psychological needs. Legal gaps include difficulties maintaining confidentiality, the absence of clear definitions for serious crimes and a lack of evidence tools. Across these three themes, the study finds that abuse and neglect persist even where child protection legislation exists, because an internationally aligned legal framework is undermined in practice by weak implementation, institutional culture and the low social status of children. On this basis, the paper proposes recommendations for staff training and sensitisation, clearer inter-agency procedures and monitoring, and stronger and more accountable oversight.