The National Agency for Children and Families
Services of the Barnahús Children's Center
Investigative interviews
The goal of an investigative interview is to obtain accurate and detailed descriptions from the child of suspected violence, without increasing the risk of false accusations if violence has not occurred. The experts at Barnahús have been trained in professionally recognized techniques for use in these interviews. These techniques have shown, in repeated studies, that they provide a higher likelihood of a freely given response by the child regarding whether violence has occurred, and that the child’s report becomes more detailed than otherwise.
Legal testimony
If the victim is under the age of 15, the courts may request that the interview be conducted at the Barnahús Children's Center. The interview is then conducted by specially trained staff at Barnahús, under the supervision of a judge. Children between the ages of 15 and 18 are interviewed by the police, except in exceptional cases, for example in cases of serious developmental disorder. In such cases, the courts may request that the interview be conducted at the Children's House.
The interviews are always recorded in audio and video so that the recording can be played in court when/if the main proceedings are conducted. The attendees at the hearing in Barnahús (in a room other than the child and the specialist at Barnahús) are a judge, a representative of the prosecution authority, the defendant's lawyer, the victim's court officer, the police and a representative of the child protection services.
Background interview
At the request of the child protection services when there is no request for a police investigation (e.g. if the alleged perpetrator is not of legal age or incompetent to stand trial, the reason for the case is the sexual behaviour of the child, or when the children interviewed are siblings of the child who has been subjected to violence). An employee of the child protection services is present but the process is otherwise similar to legal testimony.
Specialized diagnosis and treatment
The child protection services may request diagnosis and treatment for the child after the investigative interview. The diagnosis evaluates the possible consequences of the violence for the child and its family.
If the diagnosis reveals that there is a need for education and/or trauma treatment, the specialists of Barnahús will handle the case, and the treatment will usually take place in the child's home town if requested. The specialists of Barnahús use evidence-based methods in the treatment of children which research shows are most effective in handling trauma and other related problems.
The therapist will identify the child's problems and recommend appropriate treatment if necessary. The therapist's tasks also include issuing certified statements for the prosecutor and/or police, and testifying in the child's case before the court.
Medical examination
The child protection services and the police can request a medical examination. In Barnahús there is a very good facility for medical examination. The examination is carried out by a gynaecologist, a pediatrician and a nurse. Medical examination is done to look for evidence of violence and/or neglect but can also be done for treatment purposes. Sometimes children and adolescents who have been sexually abused can feel as if something is wrong with their body, and even that it has been damaged. It can be good to be reassured by a doctor that they are all right.
Unaccompanied children
The child protection services can request an exploratory interview for unaccompanied children who are fleeing their home country. The interview is attended by a representative from the Directorate of Immigration, the children's rights officer and a child protection service member. In the exploratory interview, the situation in the home country is reviewed, the reason for the child's departure, the reason for coming to Iceland, the route that was taken, possible violence that the child has suffered, and the child's well-being and expectations for the future. If the child reports violence during the interview, the child protection services can request diagnosis and treatment for the child.