Adapting Barnahus processes for online sexual violence cases

Drawing on our collective experience in promoting and implementing excellence in practice in Barnahus, this project promoted multidisciplinary and interagency models for child victims and witnesses of sexual violence, with a specific focus on specialised interventions and excellence in practice in cases where there is a presumed online element of the sexual violence. The overall objective was to ensure early identification, adequate assistance, protection and access to child-friendly justice, with specific emphasis on cases where online technology is an integral element to the abuse, by:

• Contributing to a competent and committed multidisciplinary teams, equipped to provide a holistic and balanced intervention, including investigation and assistance

• Supporting specialised professional interventions and operational capacity, adapted to the specific requirements and needs that may arise in the context of cases involving some form of online child sexual violence, and

• Contributing key experience and learning from the project to regional policy development and exchange, in particular in light of ongoing European Union strategies relevant to the field, and proposed revision of European Unions instruments.

Child Circle developed the Looking Ahead Paper which connects the experience and learning in Promise Elpis with EU legal and policy developments.  It shares recommendations for EU and national policy makers to help them take targeted measures for child victims of online sexual violence. It also assists stakeholders and practitioners in connecting their work with the developing EU legal and policy framework.

For further information on ELPIS resources, see further At a Glance: Promise Elpis resources on online child sexual violence for professionals.

Partners & Funding

Charité (Coordinator), AvBIT, The PROMISE Barnahus Network via the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Children at Risk, Child Circle, Children 1st, HEUNI (The European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations), National Children’s Advocacy Center USA, UKHD (Childhood Haus Heidelberg), Germany)

“PROMISE Elpis” was funded by the European Union through its Internal Security Fund (ISF) program, with partner co funding.