The creation of an abuse-specific milieu means not only focusing treatment on the perpetration and victimization of abuse, but also on the prevention of abuse within the treatment setting. Planning for the safety of those being treated acknowledges the immediate risks in the special-needs setting, but the issues that create the risk must be addressed within the programming, so as to decrease the risks for these youth throughout their life span. Creating an abuse-specific milieu in all special-needs settings is advantageous for youth who have been victims of violence or sexual abuse; youth who have witnessed violence and abuse in their homes and communities; and youth who have become abusive to themselves, others, or property. An abuse-specific milieu enables abuse issues to be addressed in mixed populations, as well as in the care and schooling of youth who are segregated into offense-specific treatment programs due to a known history of sexually abusive or violent behavior. In creating a milieu in care settings or classrooms, staff and clients are introduced to fundamental concepts that underlie the expectations in the milieu. The abuse-specific milieu is dependent on staff and clients implementing certain key concepts. One key concept is defining all abusive behaviors as problematic in the milieu, so staff hold all youth equally accountable and build an expectation that every individual is worthy of safety and protection from abuse. Other key concepts in the abuse- specific milieu are abusive cycles; learning, reinforcement, and deterrence; risk versus identity; growth and development; physical safety; sexual behavior; behavior modification; goals; and milieu staff. 6 references