Statement at Barnahús

About Barnahús

Barnahús deals with cases of children suspected of having been subjected to violence. When the testimony of children related to domestic violence cases is needed, whether they have directly experienced the violence or are related to the survivor and the perpetrator, their statement is taken at Barnahús.

Barnahús looks like a regular house and is located in both Reykjavík and Akureyri. Individuals aged 15 and older go to the police station to give a statement.

After the statement is taken, child protection services can request an assessment and treatment for the child. This is also available for young people aged 15 to 18.

Preparation for the statement

It is important to inform the child where they are going and what will happen. Try to avoid interrogating the child or discussing the matter in detail before the statement is taken so that it does not affect the child's testimony.

Good things to tell the child

• Giving a statement is an interview with a specialist who works on talking to children and adolescents who have experienced something or want to talk about something that has happened.
• The statement is taken in a house that is specially designed for children and adolescents. The house is located in a residential area and looks like any other home. There are no signs on the outside of the house indicating what takes place there.
• It is important to only talk about what is true and correct in the interview.
• The child and the specialist are the only two talking together in a specially equipped room, so the child does not have to talk to many adults at once or tell the same story repeatedly.

Good things to keep in mind

• It is important that the child is well-rested and has eaten.
• If the child takes medication, this needs to be taken into account regarding the timing of the interview.
• Let them know if the timing clashes with something the child enjoys, such as practice, a birthday, or a fun event, to see if the time can be changed. A child who is missing out on something fun may be restless during the interview and want to finish it as soon as possible.

The Statement

The child can give their statement in Reykjavík or Akureyri, whichever is closer to their home. Only the child and a specialist from Barnahús are present during the interview.

How are the questions?

The questions in the interview are simple and clear. Care is taken to ensure that they do not lead children to think about something that did not happen. Specialists at Barnahús have received training in recognized interviewing techniques to use in such investigative interviews.

They speak similarly to all children, but always according to age. For example, drawings are sometimes used for younger children. Child protection services inform Barnahús if a child has any diagnoses to make them as comfortable as possible during the interview.

The interview is recorded

The child does not have to appear in court and testify there. Instead, the interview is recorded and then played in the courtroom.

Who is watching?

Because the interview is recorded and used as the child's testimony, certain individuals need to be present as well. These people are in another room while the child is in the interview and are watching.

Judge

The judge needs to be present. They can ask the Barnahús specialist to ask the child certain questions through headphones. They only do this if there is something more they want to know about the offense.

Others

Then there are others in the same room as the judge, but they are only watching the interview.

• Your legal rights protection officer.
• An investigator from the police.
• A representative from Child Protection Services.
• The perpetrator's defense attorney.

Family members

The child's parents and guardians are in a waiting room while the child is in the interview. They do not watch or listen to it.

Duration

The length of time children spend giving a statement varies greatly. The interview can take 10 minutes or 2 hours. Sometimes, two statement sessions are needed.

Medical examination

Child protection services and the police can request a medical examination to look for evidence of violence or neglect. Barnahús has very good facilities for medical examinations. A pediatrician, nurse, or gynecologist conducts the examination.

A medical examination can also be done for therapeutic purposes. For example, children and adolescents who have experienced sexual violence sometimes feel that something is wrong with their body. It can be helpful to hear from a doctor that they are okay.

The medical examination is not forensic. This means that they are not looking for evidence to use in court. However, doctors have sometimes reported certain findings from the examination in court when it has been considered important.

Therapy

After the statement is taken, Barnahús offers various therapies that have been developed to assist children who have experienced violence and their families. Young people who gave a statement to the police can also receive therapy at Barnahús up to the age of 18.

At the beginning of therapy, the child's difficulties and the family's circumstances are examined. The first sessions are assessment interviews where the child's well-being is evaluated in relation to the trauma they experienced. See what therapies are offered.

If there is no assessed need for trauma therapy, psychoeducational interviews and counseling are offered. It may still be helpful to take the child to a psychologist of your choice.

Where is the therapy offered?

Therapy takes place at Barnahús in Reykjavík or Akureyri. If the child lives in the countryside, it is possible for a specialist from Barnahús to come to their home to conduct the interview.

When a child turns 15

If the child turns 15 before the case goes to court, they may have to appear in court and testify. If that happens, you will receive assistance from your legal rights protection officer and a representative from child protection services.