Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, at least 3,452 children in Ukraine have been killed or injured. As the United Nations only records confirmed cases, the real number of victims is significantly higher. “No child in Ukraine is safe. Children continue to live under constant threat of attacks, wherever they are”, emphasizes the head of the UNICEF Representative Office in Ukraine, Ann-Kleur Dufey. She stresses that every traumatized child leaves a deep wound among their loved ones, and no family should experience such pain.
Against the backdrop of this catastrophic statistics, thousands of minors face an additional challenge – violence, exploitation, and crimes. The traditional law enforcement system has proven to be unprepared to work with such victims without causing them additional harm. The investigation process requires the child to repeatedly reproduce painful memories in investigators’ offices, medical facilities, and courtrooms. Constant questioning by strangers in uniform ruins the child’s psyche. The solution to the problem was the implementation of the specialized Icelandic model of justice. The essence of the approach lies in creating a safe environment where all necessary procedures take place under one roof with the participation of trained psychologists.
The History of the Emergence and Philosophy of Friendly Justice
The word “barnahús” translates from Icelandic as “house for children”. This concept emerged in Iceland in the late 1990s and quickly became the gold standard for protecting minors in European countries. The main idea of the model is to adapt the law enforcement and medical systems to the child. Instead of transporting the frightened victim to various government agencies, specialists gather in one safe place. The space is equipped as comfortably as possible. The absence of bars on the windows or strict offices is compensated by soft carpets, colorful furniture, and toys. The calm atmosphere helps to relax and tell about the experience without fear.
The Expansion of the Safety Network in Ukrainian Regions
In Ukraine, the systematic implementation of such institutions began in 2021 with the efforts of the charitable foundation “Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health” with the support of UNICEF and the Interagency Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice. Today, such spaces operate in different parts of the country, including in the Ternopil and Cherkasy regions. The exact addresses and phone numbers of these institutions are never published in open access. Absolute secrecy of the location guarantees the impossibility of the victim meeting with their offender and protects them from unwanted public attention. The centers are created by the efforts of local administrations or self-government bodies in ordinary residential areas or on the basis of hospitals. The main requirement for the building is the presence of a separate entrance and the possibility of equipping soundproof rooms.
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Who Has Access to the Services of a Specialized Space
Assistance is provided to all persons under the age of 18 who have become victims or witnesses of crimes related to any form of violence. It is impossible to apply for support directly to the institution itself. The procedure requires official grounds. Parents, guardians, or other legal representatives who are not suspects in the crime submit an application to the police. The investigator registers the case, contacts the coordinator of the space, and gathers a team of specialists. Minors have the right to independently ask for help, but further legal actions require the mandatory participation of their official representatives or social services workers.
The Procedure of Work and Architecture of the Four Rooms
The internal structure of the institution is divided into four functional zones to avoid chaos and intersection of processes. The first room serves as a meeting place where the basic needs of the visitor are assessed and further work is planned. The second location is intended for the key stage – the collection of evidence. Here, the minor remains alone with a psychologist. The conversation is recorded by hidden cameras. Investigators, prosecutors, and lawyers are in a neighboring soundproof room. They see and hear everything through monitors, sending their questions to the psychologist through a headset. The third room is equipped for a medical examination. Doctors work carefully, each action is explained in simple words, and any coercion is strictly prohibited. The fourth zone is allocated for the work of mental health specialists who help to cope with the consequences of trauma.
The Impact of the Model on Society and the Justice System
The new approach radically changes the situation with the protection of the rights of the youngest citizens. The greatest advantage lies in the abolition of the need to attend court. The video recording of the conversation with the psychologist is recognized as official evidence, which saves the victim from meeting with the offender during open hearings. Comprehensive assistance is provided immediately on the spot: from medical documentation to long-term psychological rehabilitation of the victim and their relatives. Certain challenges arise only at the stage of organizing the process. The creation of such a space requires financial investments in technical equipment, selection of premises, and special training of personnel. The establishment of synchronized cooperation between different government agencies takes time and changes old bureaucratic habits.
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