1. Children’s House Oslo Barnahus
Justice for children
Vulnerable as witnesses
Astrid Johanne Pettersen
Executive Director

2. Background
Growing concerns for the legal protection of abused children
Unsatisfactory work in the child abuse cases
Few reports to the police, and few cases through the judical system
Adjustment to the Convention on the rights of the Children

3. Result Action Plan Against Domestic Violence – 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 Facilitated interviews and police interviews
Medical examinations
Treatment and/ or referral to treatment outside the Barnehus
Advices and guidance to children and caretakers
Knowledge
building and guidance to
other profesionals
Networking, coordination and cooperation

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 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
Today the Children’s House Oslo has 29. man-year with the following qualifications:
Executive director, psychologist specialists, clinical social workers / child welfare workers, family therapists, psychiatric nurses, technical / ICT, administration/ environmental tasks
Ullevål University Hospital attends SBO four days a week. Up to 10 children a week

9. New law, regulations and guidelines from 2015 and 2016
Interviews are to be done quickly. Must be coordinated and planned
Facilitated for better collaboration between the Police and the Child Care Services
Two tracks: Police investigation and Child Care Services survey
Good cooperation and communication is totally necessary for success in combating exploitation, violence and sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults

10. Legislation
New criminal code has made all forms of violence against children forbidden, also including slapping and smacking
Sentencing framework for domestic abuse has increased from three to six year and for cruel and abusive treatment from six to fifteen years
A new legislation ensure that all children receives the services the Children’s Houses provide

11. What´s new? Judge no longer part of the interview
Facilitated interview is led by prosecution lawyer(police lawyer)
New differentiated deadlines
Sequencial interview of pre-school children age 3-6 years
Sequencial interview of vulnerable adults
Suplementary interviews – more than one is possible (contradiction)
Target group expanded – 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”
Play-dooh
Figure made by boy age 8 – witness to murder