Key points
- The 16th Barnahus center has been opened in Ukraine – in Chernihiv region.
- Only two of the 16 centers were operating before the full-scale invasion.
- Over 3,300 children have already received assistance.
- All necessary specialists and services are available in one safe space.
- The center has an interview room, a shelter, and premises for an interdisciplinary team.
- The network is being developed with the support of UNICEF and the government of Iceland.
In Ukraine, the 16th Barnahus center has been opened – Chernihiv region has joined the network, according to the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity.
The opening was attended by the First Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family, and Unity, Liudmyla Shemelynets. According to her, the Barnahus model is planned to be enshrined in law and become part of the state system for child protection.
Currently, the network has 16 centers, and only two of them were operating before the start of the full-scale invasion. During the operation of the centers, over 3,300 children have received assistance.
The main idea of the model is a safe and friendly space where all necessary services and specialists are concentrated in one place. This refers to comprehensive support for the child and work with their family.
The Chernihiv center is equipped with an interview room, a shelter, and premises for an interdisciplinary team, where the work of investigators, prosecutors, and social workers is coordinated during interviews. The experience of “Barnahus” in other regions was taken into account when creating the space.
The Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Children, Valentyna Zozulia, noted that such centers help make the justice system child-friendly, so that the child’s opinion is heard and their rights are protected.
The Barnahus network in Ukraine is being developed with the support of UNICEF and the government of Iceland. The project is implemented by the Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health.
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