Children’s House Oslo Barnahus

1. Children’s House OsloBarnahus Justice for children Vulnerable as witnesses Astrid Johanne Pettersen ExecutiveDirector http://www.statensbarnehus.no

2. Background Growingconcerns for the legal protection of abusedchildren Unsatisfactorywork in the childabusecases Fewreports to the police, and few cases through the judicalsystem Adjustmentto the Convention on the rights of theChildren

3. ResultAction Plan Against Domestic Violence 2008 – 2011“Turning Point”Ministry of Justice and the Police Children’s House – Barnehus A nationwide service in all regions. Providing a comprehensive service for victims of abuse. Combining services such as forensic interviews, medical examinations, treatment and follow-up for children and families – all in one place. New report, - "A good childhood lasts a lifetime". Action plan to combat violence and sexual abuse against children and youth (2014–2017

4. Barnehuset

5. Target group Children and adolescents from 3 years to 16 years, some cases up to 18 years old Vulnerable adults Individuals potentially exposed to: (cases that have been reported to the police, as part of investigation) • Sexual abuse • Violence and assault • Witness to violence or sexual abuse/assault • Harmful Sexual Behavior (HSB) • Sexual mutilation • Forced marriages • Traficiking and exploitation

6. Statens Barnehus in Norway Nationwide – 11 Children’s Houses opened since 2007 Governmentally financed It’s a collaborative project involving three departments: • The Ministry of Justice and the Police • The Ministry of Health and Care Services • The Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion

7. Statens Barnehus Oslo The Children’s House in Oslo was opened 1st of September 2009. Since then, approximately 7000 children and adolescents have been to forensic interviews here. Approximately 1500 children have received medical examinations The Children’s House in Oslo is organised under the supervision of the Chief of Police in Oslo, anchored in the department of Justice

8. Continued The Children’s House Oslo covers Oslo Police District Todaythe Children’s House Oslo has 29. man-year with the followingqualifications: • Executivedirector, psychologist specialists, clinical social workers / child welfare workers, family therapists, psychiatric nurses, technical / ICT, administration/ environmental tasks Ullevål University Hospital attends SBO fourdays a week. Up to 10 children a week

9. New law, regulations and guidelinesfrom 2015 and 2016 Interviewsare to be done quickly. Must be coordinated and planned Facilitated for bettercollaborationbetween the Police and the Child Care Services Twotracks: Police investigation and Child Care Services survey Goodcooperation and communication is totally necessary for success in combating exploitation, violence and sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults

10. Legislation New criminalcode has made all forms of violenceagainstchildrenforbidden, alsoincludingslapping and smacking Sentencingframework for domesticabuse has increased from three to sixyear and for cruel and abusivetreatment from six to fifteenyears A newlegislationensurethat all childrenreceives the services the Children’s Houses provide

11. What´s new? Judgeno longer part of the interview Facilitatedinterview is led by prosecutionlawyer(policelawyer) New differentiateddeadlines Sequencialinterview of pre-schoolchildren age 3-6 years Sequencialinterview of vulnerable adults Suplementaryinterviews – more thanone is possible (contradiction) Target groupexpanded – vulnerable adults and youth 16-18yrs (incest cases)

12. Children’s House professionals Give guidance and advice to the police in advance, during and after the forensic interview Meet with children (and their guardians) and ensure they feel safe when they come to the Children’s House Participate in the meeting and discussion before and in breaks, as well as be present during forensic interviews Assess treatment requirements, either short term at the Children’s House or long term in Child Guidance Clinics Takes care of the children and adolescents in breaks during the interview

13. Continued Provides guidance and advice to the child’s caretakers The staff is recruited from both child welfare, health and police and they are well educated and experienced In contrast to many children’s houses around the world, the houses in Norway focus equally on sexual abuse and psychical violence/ children exposed to psychological violence Legal or Child protective perspective? Focus on establishing safe routines and cooperation which work independent of criminal standard of evidence

14. “My teeth are shaking and I don’t want to talk about it” Figure made by boy age 8 – witness to murder