Croatia introduces Children's House for minor victims of sexual violence, €1.24 million secured
Action plan to combat sexual violence and harassment until 2027 also includes regional centers and additional training for police and judiciary.
Action plan to combat sexual violence and harassment until 2027 also includes regional centers and additional training for police and judiciary.
The Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy has presented the final Action Plan for Combating Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment until 2027. The document, which will soon be opened for public consultation, envisages a series of concrete measures to improve victim protection, with the central project being the establishment of a Children's House for children who have suffered sexual abuse.
Following the Barnahus model, already applied in several European countries, the Children's House will allow a child to receive all necessary services at a single location, from forensic and medical examinations to psychological support and legal protection. This will avoid repeated interviews and further traumatisation of the victim, and the child will give their statement only once.
"This is the highest level of protection of children's rights and welfare. The Barnahus model represents a major civilisational and medical breakthrough because it prevents secondary victimisation of children," said Minister Alen Ružić for Nacionalno Plus.
The implementation of the entire plan relies on €1.24 million in secured funds, reports Riportal.
In addition to the central Children's House, the plan also establishes specialised victim support services in the Zagreb, Rijeka, Split and Osijek regions. Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening police capacities to detect online sexual exploitation of children, an area that is becoming an increasing challenge.
The Action Plan also provides for additional training programmes for police officers, judges and all professionals working with victims. The goal is for the first interview with a child to always be conducted by a specially trained officer, and for the entire system to show a higher level of empathy and understanding of the psychological state of survivors of sexual violence.
Acting Director of the Social Policy Directorate Melita Čusek stressed that the growing number of reported sexual violence cases does not necessarily reflect an increase in criminal offences, but above all greater victim trust in institutions, better public awareness and more effective police work. She also confirmed that a higher number of perpetrators of sexual offences have been detected.
Victims and witnesses are also continuously supported by the Support Network, which consists of 11 civil society organisations. The National Call Centre is available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays, and according to Ministry data, victims of sexual offences account for about 11 percent of all users of the network.
