For any parent, the news that their own child must attend a hearing amid allegations of abuse stirs up strong emotions: fear, uncertainty, even guilt. Questions naturally arise: “Will my child be traumatized again?”, “Will I be left out?”, “What happens after the interview?” Barnahus, also known as the “children’s house,” was created precisely to answer these questions and to protect children by providing them with a safe place where they can be heard, understood, and supported.

Barnahus places the child at the center of the entire process. The focus is not on legal formalities, but on the child’s safety and well-being. Everything is organized so that the child is shielded from contact with complicated bureaucratic procedures and is treated with respect and care. In this way, the child is not reduced to the status of a “witness” or “victim,” but remains, above all, a person who needs support and understanding.

What does Barnahus mean for the child?

Barnahus is not like a rigid or intimidating institution. The child enters a space designed specifically for them, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Barnahus means:
• a single interview, in a single location—the child does not have to repeat the same story to multiple people. The interview is conducted by a trained specialist and is recorded so it can be used later by all involved agencies;
• questions tailored to the child’s age and developmental level—specialists use validated protocols (such as the NICHD protocol) to help the child express their feelings without being pressured or influenced;
• Protection against revictimization—the child does not come into direct contact with people who might intimidate or harm them and is not exposed to complicated legal proceedings;
• Access to psychological support—after the interview, the child can receive an assessment and counseling, so that the process is not merely an investigation but also a step toward healing.

What Does Barnahus Mean for Parents?

Parents also need support, because they, too, are deeply affected by the situation. The Barnahus model takes the entire family into account:
• Clear and accessible information—parents are kept informed of what is happening, receive explanations, and get answers to their questions;
• counseling and emotional support—parents can benefit from parenting counseling sessions to better understand what their child is going through and how they can help;
• indirect involvement—even if the parent is not present during the interview (so as not to influence the child’s responses), they remain close by, receive information, and are part of the process;
• strengthening the parent–child relationship—by understanding the procedure and receiving support themselves, parents become better able to provide the child with security and continuity.

Barnahus also provides emotional support for the child’s family. Many parents feel alone and helpless in such situations. This model provides an opportunity to speak with specialists who not only understand the child’s trauma but also the impact on the entire family. Parents are not left to cope on their own but are given the resources they need to be a stable and balanced source of support for their child.

Common Concerns of Parents

• “I’m afraid it will be too hard for the child.” The interview is conducted in a gentle manner, tailored to the child’s age and pace, to minimize their discomfort.
• “Why can’t I be with him during the interview?” Although the parent’s intention is to protect the child, their presence could influence the child’s responses. Even if they cannot be in the same room as the investigator and the child, the parent remains nearby, follows the interview in real time, and receives immediate information and support.
• “What happens after the interview?” The process doesn’t end there: the child may receive medical and psychological evaluations as well as therapeutic support, so that they feel safe and can regain their sense of balance.
• “Won’t the child be traumatized all over again?” On the contrary, the Barnahus model was designed precisely to prevent retraumatization. The fact that everything takes place in a single space, in a friendly atmosphere with trained specialists, reduces risks and supports the recovery process.

Barnahus means collaboration between institutions. Instead of being shuttled between the police, the hospital, the court, and social services, the child is brought to a single location. There, specialists from different fields work together: police officers, prosecutors, psychologists, doctors, and social workers. This interdisciplinary cooperation reduces stress and uncertainty for the family and improves the quality of protection provided to the child.
Barnahus represents a paradigm shift: from a system centered on procedures and institutions to one centered on the child and the family. It provides safety, coordination, and support so that the child is protected and can regain their trust.
For parents, it can be difficult to accept that their own child must undergo a judicial interview, but it is important to remember: this is not a punishment, but a protective measure. The safer and more welcoming the setting in which the child is heard, the greater the chances that they will recover emotionally and move forward with their life in a healthy way.

Barnahus is more than a legal procedure—it is a home of trust and protection, where the child and family receive real support. For parents, it is an ally, not an obstacle. For the child, it is the place where their story is listened to carefully, without having to repeat the same things over and over, and where the healing process begins.

Bibliography:
Council of the Baltic Sea States. (2015). The Barnahus Quality Standards. Stockholm: CBSS
Johansson, S., Stefansen, K., Bakketeig, E., & Kaldal, A. (2017). Collaborating against child abuse: Exploring the Nordic Barnahus model. London: Palgrave Macmillan
Lamb, M. E., La Rooy, D. J., Malloy, L. C., & Katz, C. (2018). Children’s Testimony: A Handbook of Psychological Research and Forensic Practice (2nd ed.). Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell

Article by Diana Munteanu, clinical psychologist & psychotherapist, Barnahus Center