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This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license.
This edited collection explores the background and implementation of the Nordic Barnahus (or 'Children's House') model - recognised as one of the most important reforms related to children who are the victims of crime in the Nordic region. This book discusses both its potential to affect change and the challenges facing it. The model was introduced as a response to a growing recognition of the need for more integrated and child-centred services for children exposed to violence and sexual abuse. In the Barnahus structure, different professions work together to ensure that victimized children receive help and treatment and that their legal rights are met. This original study is organised into four broad themes: child-friendliness, support and treatment; the forensic child investigative interview; children's rights perspectives; and interagency collaboration and professional autonomy. Each themed section includes in-depth chapters from different Nordic countries, outlining and analysing the practice and outcomes of the collaborative work engaged in by Barnahus from different perspectives. The introductory and concluding chapters offer a comparative lens useful for policy and practice implementation within the Nordic welfare state context and beyond, ensuring this book has global academic and practical appeal.
List of contents
Chapter 1: Implementing the Nordic Barnahus Model.- Theme I: Child-Friendliness, Support and Treatment.- Chapter 2: Staging a Caring Atmosphere.- Chapter 3: To be Summoned to Barnahus.- Chapter 4: Treatment in Barnahus.- Theme II: The Forensic Child Investigative Interview.- Chapter 5: The Nordic Model of Handling Children`s Testimonies.- Chapter 6: The NICHD Protocol.- Chapter 7: Investigating Suspected Child Abuse at the Forensic Psychology Unit for Children and Adolescents.- Chapter 8: Sequential Interviews with Preschool Children in Norwegian Barnahus.- Theme III: Children's Rights Perspectives.- Chapter 9: Child Friendly Justice.- Chapter 10: Children's Right to Information in Barnahus.- Chapter 11: The Swedish 'Special Representatives for Children' and their Role in Barnahus.- Theme IV: Interagency Collaboration and Professional Autonomy.- Chapter 12: Power Dynamics in Barnahus Collaboration.- Chapter 13: Exploring Juridification in the Norwegian Barnahus Model.- Chapter 14: The Establishment of Barnahus in Denmark.- Chapter 15: Barnahus for Adults?.- Chapter 16: Epilogue: The Barnahus model.
About the author
Susanna Johansson works as a senior lecturer and researcher at the School of Social Work, Lund University, Sweden.
Kari Stefansen works as a research professor at Norwegian Social Research (NOVA) at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Norway and the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS).
Elisiv Bakketeig works as a senior researcher at Norwegian Social Research (NOVA), Oslo and Akershus University College, Norway.
Anna Kaldal works as an Associate Professor of Procedural Law at the Law Faculty, Stockholm University, Sweden.
Summary
This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license.
This edited collection explores the background and implementation of the Nordic Barnahus (or 'Children's House') model – recognised as one of the most important reforms related to children who are the victims of crime in the Nordic region. This book discusses both its potential to affect change and the challenges facing it. The model was introduced as a response to a growing recognition of the need for more integrated and child-centred services for children exposed to violence and sexual abuse. In the Barnahus structure, different professions work together to ensure that victimized children receive help and treatment and that their legal rights are met. This original study is organised into four broad themes: child-friendliness, support and treatment; the forensic child investigative interview; children’s rights perspectives; and interagency collaboration and professional autonomy. Each themed section includes in-depth chapters from different Nordic countries, outlining and analysing the practice and outcomes of the collaborative work engaged in by Barnahus from different perspectives. The introductory and concluding chapters offer a comparative lens useful for policy and practice implementation within the Nordic welfare state context and beyond, ensuring this book has global academic and practical appeal.
