Global InformationBarnahus information
Barnahus (derived from the Icelandic word for "children's house")[1] is a child-friendly, multidisciplinary and interagency model for responding to child violence and witnesses of violence. The purpose of Barnahus is to offer each child a coordinated and effective child protection and criminal justice response, and to prevent traumatisation and retraumatisation during investigation and court proceedings.[2][3][4]
The model is recognised by Lanzarote Committee at the Council of Europe as a good practice example for child-friendly multidisciplinary responses,[5] and has been the recipient of the Multidisciplinary Award from the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (IPSCAN).[1] The model has the support of the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children.[6] The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has noted with appreciation the legislative, institutional and policy measures taken to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular the implementation of the Barnahus model in at least one party country.[7] The EU Strategy on the rights of the child notes that “The promotion of integrated child protection systems is intrinsically linked to the prevention and protection from violence. With the child at the centre, all relevant authorities and services should work together to protect and support the child, in their best interests. The Commission will further support the establishment of Children’s houses (Barnahus) in the EU.“[8]
While the local name may differ, the model as implemented in Europe has become widely known in English as Barnahus.[9]
- ^ a b Government Agency for Child Protection. "The Children's House in Iceland – "Barnahus"" (PDF). www.bvs.is.
- ^ Lind Haldorsson, Olivia (2017). "The PROMISE Barnahus Quality Standards - Guidance for Multidisciplinary and Interagency Response to Child Victims and Witnesses of Violence". PROMISE Barnahus Network. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
- ^ "STA: Slovenia to get children's house". english.sta.si. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
- ^ "New law to protect children giving evidence in court". BBC News. 2020-01-20. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
- ^ Council of Europe (2018). "PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AGAINST SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE - Child-friendly, multidisciplinary and interagency response inspired by the Barnahus model".
- ^ SRSG Maalla M'jid Promise Barnahus Project meeting, retrieved 2021-03-12
- ^ Committee on the Rights of the Child (2020). "Concluding observations on the sixth periodic report of Hungary". tbinternet.ohchr.org. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
- ^ "The EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child". 2021-03-24.
- ^ "What is Barnahus and how it works | ChildHub - Child Protection Hub". childhub.org. Retrieved 2021-03-10.