The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted Law No. 4073-IX, which regulates the work of specialised centres for children who have suffered or witnessed violence. The new law introduces unified standards for the operation of such centres based on the Barnahus model, which has been operating in pilot mode for several years.
The law provides for a number of innovations. In particular, it delineates the powers of the authorities in the field of combating violence to better coordinate their work. It prohibits alternative dispute resolution in cases of domestic and gender-based violence, and includes Barnahus centres in the list of specialised victim support services.
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Barnahus centres first appeared in Ukraine in 2021 and currently operate in 12 regions. Their activities are aimed at creating a safe environment for children during the investigation of violence. The centres provide both psychological support and legal assistance to help avoid additional trauma to children.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine plays a key role in implementing this model, coordinating the work of the centres and ensuring their integration into the national child protection system. The adoption of the law allows the Barnahus centres to expand to regions that have not yet been included in the pilot project.
According to Deputy Minister of Justice Oleksandr Banchuk, the law is a real mechanism for supporting and protecting children. ‘This is an important step towards ensuring child-friendly justice that guarantees safety, healing and legal protection,’ he said.
In times of war, the Barnahus model is of particular importance, as the number of children in need of comprehensive support has increased significantly. Legislative regulation of these centres will help build a systemic platform for effective protection of the rights of minors throughout Ukraine.
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