A kickoff meeting was held on 7 September 2023 to officially mark the launch of the project, implemented by the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration in cooperation with the Council of Europe and the EU Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG Reform).
Members of the inner project team were appointed on each side.
Representatives of the Ministry expressed their gratitude for the support in the implementation of the project, which aims to ensure protection and adequate assistance to child victims and children witnesses of violence and abuse through a multidisciplinary and interagency approach, ensuring cooperation between different agencies (judicial, social welfare, medical) in a child-friendly institution that offers complete services for children and families under one roof.
Representatives of the Ministry briefly described the current situation in Croatia and expressed their readiness for and commitment to implementing the project.
A representative of the European Commission pointed out that DG Reform has recognised the Barnahus model as an appropriate and comprehensive response to child sexual abuse, and that the Commission supports the initiative to establish the Barnahus model across Europe.
Representatives of the Council of Europe presented the methodology and plan for the implementation of the project and familiarised all participants from the Working Group with specific situations through the Barnahus model projects implemented in Spain, Finland, Iceland and Slovenia.
The next step of the Working Group is to appoint an Advisory Group, comprising representatives of the competent authorities for issues from the field of protection, who are expected to work continuously on the project and in the follow-up.
At the beginning of 2024, the first project conference will be organised, where the main characteristics, activities and outputs of the project will be presented.
Duration of the project is 30 months.
