As part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe project "Implementing the Barnahus Model in Croatia", a Croatian delegation of professionals working with and for children completed a study visit to Helsinki, Finland from 5 to 6 November 2024. This study visit provided an in-depth look at Finland’s Barnahus model, a child-friendly and multidisciplinary approach to addressing child sexual abuse cases. The Croatian delegation, representing diverse sectors including the Ministry of Justice, the judiciary, law enforcement, the Bar association, the judicial academy, social welfare, and the Office of the Ombudsperson, gained insights on establishing and operating a Barnahus model in Croatia to strengthen justice system responses for child victims of sexual violence.
Key highlights of the two-day visit included meetings with Finnish Barnahus experts from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Barnahus Helsinki Unit. They presented the history and operational framework in Finland, as well as the legal considerations that Finland has addressed in implementing the model. The study visit also included exchanges with Finnish representatives from the judiciary, law enforcement and social services.
The lessons learnt will inform Croatia’s approach to establishing a sustainable and comprehensive Barnahus model, tailored to local needs. Following the visit, participants will share their findings with colleagues in Croatia to ensure that the knowledge gained contributes to the future implementation of the model in the country.
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