1Juni 2002

The development of “Barnahus” in Sweden

The experiences of Children Houses

Carl Göran SvedinProfessor

Tallin19th February 2015

2Juni 2002

Presentation

• Child Abuse and Neglect in Sweden

• Barnahus

3Juni 2002

Countries with an anti-spanking legislation

Sweden 1979

4Juni 2002

Reported suspected cases of child abuse in Sweden, 0-14 years of age

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

0100020003000400050006000700080009000

10000

-7

7 14

Together 2013: 12 041 (3 261/8 780)

5Juni 2002

Police reported suspected sexual abuse crimes against children 0-15 years of age,

Sweden

80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 0 2 4 6 8 10 120

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Rape Sexual abuse Sexual harassment Sexual abuse new*

Total 2013: 4959

6Juni 2002

Child's best interests come first??

• Child friendly investigations NO

• Priority, urgency NO

• Professionality NO

• Cooperation NO

• Coordination NO

• Rehabilitation/treatment NO

7Juni 2002

The primary guideline for Barnahus

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 3.1:"In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the child shall be a primary consideration. "

8Juni 2002

Save the Children 22/10 2003in a meeting with the minister of justice

Concerning the child’s status in the legal process: "collaboration between relevant agencies must be better. Experiences from the Children's House in Iceland are interesting "

9Juni 2002

Establishment of barnahus

NATIONAL GUIDELINESBased on a governmental commission 2006-07

PRESENTED BY THE NATIONAL AUTHORITIES 2009

• Target group: – All children under 18 who are victims of crime

• child abuse, sexual abuse

– Witnesses of domestic violence

10Juni 2002

Establishment of barnahus

NATIONAL GUIDELINES

2009

• Consulting meeting: spec. prosecutors, spec. policemen, social workers, somatic medicine (paediatrics/gynecology), child psychiatry

• Child protection services participate in the child interview – Asses the child need of protection/support

• Offered crisis support of skilled and experienced staff.

11Juni 2002

Establishment of barnahus

• The guidelines = a recommendation– The local authorities take independent decisions

• Budget & agreements

• No new legislation (no new from the justice department)

• No budget

12Juni 2002

Barnahus in Sweden today

•2004 – 2014 0 31 Barnahus– depends of what we call Barnahus

•No national demands/criteria’s

•The variations are still large– which authorities are represented in Barnahus– which authorities are represented in the

consulting meetings (samråd) differs

13Juni 2002

Developement

2012

14Juni 2002

Organizational structure

• 30 are run by the site municipality sometimes in close cooperation with the police authorities (5)

• 1 is run by the County Council (Linköping)

• Today 31 CAC covering187 o f 290 communities (64%, or 80% of the child population)

15Juni 2002

Barnahus

Criminalinvestigatio

npolice/prosecutor

Mental healthCAP/social welfare

Physical health

pediatrics/ gynecology

Protection social welfare

Education & Research

Standards for Barnahus (10)

16Juni 2002

1: Child-Appropriate/Child-Friendly Facility

A Barnahus provides a comfortable, private, child-friendly setting that is both physically and psychologically safe for diverse populations of children and their families.

Linköping Barnahus

17Juni 2002

2. Multidisciplinary Team• Standard: A multidisciplinary team for response to child

abuse allegations includes representation from the following:– Child Protective Services – is the child safe? Are other

children at risk?– Medical – is there evidence of abuse? Does the child

need treatment?– Mental Health – does the child/family need mental health

services? What type of service would help the most?– Law Enforcement – has a crime been committed?– Prosecution – can I prove the case in court?

18Juni 2002

3. Forensic Interviews

Standard: The Barnahus promotes forensic interviews which are legally sound, are of a neutral, fact-finding nature, and are coordinated to avoid duplicative interviewing.

Observation Room

Interview Room

19Juni 2002

4. Medical Evaluation

• Standard: Specialized medical evaluation and treatment services are available to all Barnahus clients and coordinated with the multidisciplinary team response to provide follow-up referrals and/or treatment as necessary.

20Juni 2002

5. Mental Health• Standard: Specialized trauma-focused mental

health services, designed to meet the unique needs of the children and non-offending family members, are routinely made available as part of the MDT response.– Evidence-based practice – Trauma-Focused Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy

21Juni 2002

A quality review of Swedish Barnahus - 2012.Strengths and weaknesses

22Juni 2002

Barnahus N=23

Criminal investigatio

nPolice

Mental healthCAP/social welfare

Physical health

Protection Social welfare

Barnahus 2012

Type C: Activity in two of the rooms = 3

Type B: Activity in three rooms =16

Type A: Activity in all four rooms, or all necessary components = 4

23Juni 2002

Recommendation

• Barnahus is a great model!

• Develop all Barnahus to achieve type-A level

• Expand the target group!

• Barnahus for all children!

• Establish Lex Barnahus!

24Juni 2002

Thank you!

carl.goran.svedin@liu.se