1. The European Barnahus Standards
ISPCAN, Hague, 2017
Bragi Guðbrandsson, Director General
The Government Agency for Child Protection, Iceland

2. Context Rooted in Inspired by
the Convention on the rights of the Child
by the Council of Europe Lanzarote Convention and the Rec. On Child –friendly justice
by the EU Directive on Child Sexual abuse and exploitation as well as the Directive on the rights of victims of Crime
by the case law of the Court of Human Rights
in evidence based practice in forensic interviewing, medical examination and therapeutic services
best practices of the existing Barnahus in Europe, as well as Children´s Advocacy Centers in USA
collaboration of experts in Europe across different countries
practices that are transferable and adaptable to different national context

3. European Barnahus Standards
The first systemic attempt to establish quality standards for child-friendly, multi-agency response to child abuse in the European context
Addresses the evidence based components of Barnahus including structured forensic interviews, medical examination and therapeutic services
Ensuring necessary flexibility to allow for implementation in diversified social/legal environment with the necessary fidelity required for professional implementation

4. Reading the standards; keys
What is the standard?
A description/definition of the standard
Why should the standard be met?
Addresses the rationale behind the standard
Often refers to international laws, knowledge from research or good practices
Examples of indicators or other evidence that the standard is met

6. 1.1 Best interest of the child
Standard 1 Barnahus
1.1 Best interest of the child
General Comments CRC No.14 (2013)
1.2 Right to be heard to and receive information
Including support to express views, being listen to, have views taken into account and being informed about decisions taken and to which extent their views have influenced decisions
1.3 Avoiding undue delay
The child´s perception of time

7. Multidisciplinary and interagency collaboration
 Standard 2
Multidisciplinary and interagency collaboration
2.1 Formal status
embedded in the child welfare and justice system
reflected in legal provisions
2.2 Organization
structured collaboration, clear roles and responsibilities
2.3 Process and practice
interagency intervention across the continuum of the case

8. Standard 3 Inclusive target group
3.1 Inclusive and broad definition of target group
includes all children who are victims and/or witnesses of crime or may have been traumatized irrespective of form of violence
3.2 Non-discrimination
accessible to all children regardless of sex, age, social or economical status, residence etc

9. STANDARD 4 Child friendly environment
4.1 Place and accessibility
4.2 Interior environment (age appropriate waiting rooms)
4.3 Privacy
4.4 Preventing contact with perpetrator
4.5 Interview room

10. Standard 5 Interagency case management
5.1 Formal procedures and routines
5.2 Continuous case planning and reviews
confidentiality issues (good practice: Denmark)
5.3 Continuous case tracking
importance of documentation
5.4 Support person
Cps worker, legal advocate etc

11. Standard 6 Forensic interviews
6.1 Evidence based protocols and practices
6.2 Specialized staff
6.3 Location and recording
6.4 Multidisciplinary and interagency presence
6.5 Respecting defendants rights to a fair trial and equality of arms
6.6 Adopting to the child´s needs

12. Standard 7 Medical evaluation
7.2 Treatment
7.3 Specialized staff
7.4 Case review and planning
7.5 Information and child participation

13. Standard 8 Therapeutic services
8.1 Assessment and treatment
8.2 Specialized staff
8.3 Information and child participation
8.4 Crisis intervention

14. Standard 9 Capacity building
9.1 Training of professionals
importance of regular training in specific areas of expertise including and joint trainings
9.2 Guidance, supervision and counselling
in relation to individual cases
addressing professional and personal strain, ethical dilemmas etc

15. 10.1 Data collection, information sharing and awareness raising
Standard 10 PREVENTION 
10.1 Data collection, information sharing and awareness raising
Research
10.2 External competence building
professionals working for and with children