The European Union’s Barnahus Model of Justice for Children

Author: Ana MC Budeanu

June 2, 2026

HRRC  endorses the European Union’s efforts to establish the protection of children from violence with the Barnahus Model that respects children’s rights and supports their welfare. Further, we call for greater support for this initiative to become the standard for protecting children that are part of a criminal investigation.

Children are Protected with the Barnhus Model [Photo credit: Markus Spiske, Unsplash]

The Council of Europe and the European Commission have adopted a new practical guidance for the implementation of the Barnahus Model, a pioneering initiative for the protection of children from violence, including sexual violence, by the national authorities of European Union’s (EU) member states. 

The new guidance is based on the learning experience provided to EU by the five joint European Union – Council of Europe projects on Barnahus co-funded through Technical Support Instrument (TSI) in Croatia, Finland, Ireland, Slovenia and Spain, and on extensive expert consultations across Council of Europe and EU member states.

Barnahus (Children’s House) Model is a recognised standard of excellence for the co-ordination of criminal and child welfare investigations in cases of violence against children, particularly sexual violence. What makes this approach unique and sought after is the fact that it reunites justice, health and social support services under one set of rules while promoting the welfare of the child and the importance of the child’s testimony.

What may not be directly understood is that Barnahus is a literal facility where children involved in any capacity in the investigation of child welfare or of a criminal case, will be redirected in order to support their safety and mental health. That is also where any form of interviewing the child during the investigation will take place thus placing less stress or danger on the child.

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Glossary

• Barnahus Model - a pioneering initiative for the protection of children from violence, including sexual violence, by the national authorities of European Union’s (EU) member states

• Facility - are buildings, pieces of equipment, or services that are provided for a particular purpose.

• Guidance - is help and advice.

• Pioneer - Someone who is referred to as a pioneer in a particular area of activity is one of the first people to be involved in it and develop it

• Social Support - the provision of assistance or comfort to others, typically to help them cope with biological, psychological, and social stressors.

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References

1. https://www.coe.int/en/web/children/-/council-of-europe-and-european-union-release-new-guidance-to-support-barnahus-model-reforms

2. https://rm.coe.int/protection-of-children-against-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse-child-fri/16809e55f4 

3. https://rm.coe.int/practical-guidance-for-national-authorities-on-how-to-design-and-imple/48802bd8cf 

4. https://rm.coe.int/barnahus-a-european-journey-mapping-study-on-multidisciplinary-and-int/1680acc3c3