Barnahus promoting justice and care for children in Europe Co-Funded by the European Union

Symposium: Panel Mr Bragi Guðbrandsson, National Child Protection Authority, Iceland Ms Ólöf Ásta Farestveit, Head of Barnahus, Iceland Dr Andrea Goddard, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Ms Janet van Bavel, Kenter Jeugdhulp, Netherlands Ms Gordana Buljan Flanders, Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb Ms Turid Heiberg, Council of the Baltic Sea States Secretariat (moderator) Mr Peter van der Linden, ISPCAN

PROMISE - Supporting the Barnahus model The Barnahus team coordinates interagency collaboration CHIILD PROTECTON – SOCIAL WELFARE NB: Based on Icelandic model, not necessarily representative of other established MD/IA services Re-traumatization can be avoided as the needs of the child is at the center. The Barnahus model offers the child victim/witness of violence a child-friendly, safe and professional environment to disclose – which is fundamental to the criminal investigation, the judicial process and the follow up of the child. the interview is recorded and used as evidence in court. Relevant disciplines and agencies are gathered under one roof, providing a multidisciplinary, including medical examination, mental health examination and treatment, response to each child. The model is integrated into the national social welfare, health, and/or justice systems in most countries.

The promise vision 1. RESPECT FOR THE PARTICIPATORY RIGHTS OF THE CHILD 2. MULTI-DISCIPLINARY AND INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION 3. COMPREHENSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE SERVICES 4. ENSURING HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, TRAINING AND SUFFICIENT RESOURCES

PROMISE project: AchIEvements 2015 -2017 The Children’s Advocacy Centres in the US inspired Iceland to develop Barnahus as an integral part of the child welfare and justice systems The PROMISE project builds on these achievements and the continuous efforts of the pioneers from Iceland and other Barnahus to support new initiatives The PROMISE project has supported professionals/officials in more than 11 countries/cities to establish Barnahus similar institutions The project has offered study visits, clarifications, networking, capacity building The project has generated a lot of interest in Europe and globally The project has developed standards and other relevant background material

http://www.childrenatrisk.eu/promise

European Barnahus Movement Launched in Brussels UN Special Representative on Violence against Children - Marta Santos Pais Referenced the Children’s House model as a good practice for the prevention and protection of child victims and of those at risk of violence. EU Commissioner for Justice - Věra Jourová “It is largely thanks to this project that we can now talk about a ‘European Barnahus movement’.” Consolidated the networking efforts - 90 participants from 30 countries “Barnahus” has become a widely accepted concept

Promise II: creating progress and action Objectives: Tailor-made training for Barnahus staff including judicial sector workshops Inter-agency commitment, including from the judicial sector. Webinars and chats – newsletter – improved communication tools Knowledge/skills on the Barnahus functions Developing methodology to get children’s reflections and perspectives Round tables and dialogue developing national and regional roadmaps, Facilitate use of PROMISE standards and tacking tool Drawing up national Frameworks and Agreements

“As we came in, my mum sat down and I needed to stand all the time “As we came in, my mum sat down and I needed to stand all the time. When I couldn’t bear it any longer and I started crying, the judge kept yelling at me and that was so awful.” Quote of a 15 year-old child sexual abuse victim shared by Justice Commissioner Jourová at the Launching the European Barnahus Movement Conference

Thank you Turid.heiberg@cbss.org