A child having to go through the traumatic experience of sexual abuse over and over again through the process of the investigation would be the worst possible outcome. This was the rationale behind the establishment of the “Children’s House”: To prevent re-victimisation.
The Children’s House (CH) is a recognized facility operating in line with European principles, based on the Barnahus (“Children's House”) model in Iceland. It manages cases of sexual abuse and exploitation of minors in a child-friendly environment, ensuring their safety, protection and well-being. It provides all necessary services under one roof, in order to avoid re-traumatisation of the child during the investigation. The CH coordinates the cooperation between various competent services such as the Police, social, medical, mental health and educational services.
The Children’s House was established in the framework of the National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography 2016-2019 (Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 80.430, dated 21/03/2016).
The management and operation of the Children's House have been entrusted to an international, humanitarian and independent Organization, the “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center. This was made possible thanks to State aid granted on 08/08/2016 by the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance in the framework of the call for the De Minimis State Aid Scheme. The overall supervision of the CH is ensured by the Social Welfare Services, in cooperation with other competent Services.
The Children’s House provides services to child victims of sexual abuse and their families. These services form part of an inter-agency and multi-disciplinary case management and include the following: Forensic interview, medical examinations, social support and rehabilitation, psychological assessment, psychological support and therapy, family therapy and parent counselling. The CH is also actively engaged in prevention through public education on issues of violence against children.
If any member of the public is concerned that a child has been sexually abused, they need to report it to the Police and the Social Welfare Services. These are the competent agencies that will refer the case directly to the Children’s House.
A child-friendly and safe environment with specially designed areas. You will also meet professionals who work with children all the time and are interested in helping them. Social workers welcome the attendees, explain the procedures and accompany them throughout the whole process. The specially trained members of the Cyprus Police (in plain clothes) who carry out the forensic interview also explain the process of the audiovisual testimony and make every effort to protect the persons referred to the CH. If necessary, children are examined by doctors in the child-friendly clinic located within the premises of the CH. Psychologists are there to listen to and support the child and his or her family in specially designed therapy rooms equipped with toys, books and other creative materials to encourage expression.
The premises are located in Nicosia. The audiovisual testimony, if required, as well as all medical examinations, are conducted within the premises. Further to the approval of the nationwide Family Counsellor Program for child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation and their families, such incidents or high-risk families are identified and receive psychosocial support and rehabilitation services in their district through the institution of the Family Counsellor. The Program is funded by the De Minimis State Aid Scheme of the Social Welfare Services with “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center” as the beneficiary.