Institutional betrayal refers to harm that occurs when an institution a person depends on—such as a school—fails to prevent, respond to, or acknowledge wrongdoing. The term describes situations where an organisation that is expected to provide safety and care instead ignores concerns, minimises harm, protects its reputation, or fails to act when problems are reported. In school settings, institutional betrayal can occur when families raise concerns about bullying, discrimination, unsafe conditions, or staff conduct and the response prioritises managing risk or liability rather than addressing the harm experienced by the child. Because students and families rely on schools for daily care and support, these failures can feel especially damaging and can erode trust in the institution. Recognising institutional betrayal helps highlight that the harm is not only the original incident but also the system’s failure to respond in ways that protect and support those affected.