Barnahus, the first comprehensive care service for children victims of sexual abuse in the CSC
A "homogeneous and coordinated" care will be provided to children and adolescents who have suffered Barnahus sexual violence; they will receive health, education, social, police and justice services in one space.
Children, adolescents and their families who have suffered sexual abuse will now be able to receive a comprehensive service in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Barnahus ("Children's House" in Icelandic) has today opened a centre that will follow the model. Although the first cases will begin to be dealt with in January of next year, workers have already started working.
It will be the first centre in the Basque Country to offer this service, which will serve the children and young people of Álava, with the aim of making it a reference point to follow the same path in Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia over the next few years.
According to data provided by the Department of Security of the Basque Government, between 2020 and 2023 1,009 complaints of sexual abuse of minors were received, from 130 cases in 2020 to 448 in 2023. In addition, cases of violence against girls (25%) and crimes of sexual violence (24.2%) by partners or ex-partners and crimes of sexual violence (24.2%) have increased.
"Guarantees fundamental rights"
During the presentation of the Centre, Nerea Melgosa , Counsellor for Social Welfare, Youth and Demographic Challenge of the Basque Government, explained that the Barnahus model guarantees a "lighter, more effective and more humane" response to victims, and that the impact is "very positive." "The Barnahus model reduces the trauma of minors by avoiding multiple expressions or movements between different organizations.
The counsellor has specified that the "best interests" of the child are the model that places them at the centre, avoiding "revictimization" .
Nice space
A fixed and mobile team will serve in the new centre, consisting of a coordinator, an administrative, a psychologist and a social worker, and social workers, psychologists, paediatricians, forensic doctors, gynaecologists, ertzainas and court personnel.
Minors shall be referred to Barnahus through the social services of the City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz and the Provincial Council of Álava, and upon arrival at the Centre, an initial reception and evaluation of children shall be carried out, with the assistance of psychologists and a medical examination.
When the minors are ready, they shall make an account of what has happened to them, always with the help of the psychologist, and in a safe space. They shall be connected to a declaratory room, from where they shall be followed by the coordinators, the Ertzaintza, the Public Prosecutor's Office and the medical team. The judge shall also be able to follow, and the child's account shall have the same judicial value as a judicial statement. The minor shall receive psychological and legal assistance throughout the proceedings.
You might like
Cases of gender-based violence during pregnancy can be identified through health consultations
During pregnancy, women have a close relationship with the health system: they have consultations with midwife, gynaecologist and nurse. As could be the key to identifying situations of gender-based violence. Anternational experts in San Sebastian have called for a coordinated response from the health and social spheres in the summer course on Violence and Motherhood.
Painted against Basque footballer Einar Galilea appeared in Malaga after spreading his image with the Argentine T-shirt
Painted with insults have appeared near La Rosaleda after the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The photo of the Malaga player has been posted on social media, although it is not clear when it was taken.
Farewell to smoking on terraces and beaches: this is the new anti-smoking law, which equates the vaporizer with the cigarette
The new law passed by the Spanish Government prohibits smoking and bathing on terraces and beaches, since it equates electronic cigarettes with traditional tobacco and provides for fines of up to 600 euros.
Two monitors have been arrested in Biarritz on charges of raping and sexually assaulting children aged three and four
The Baiona Public Prosecutor's Office has reported that, according to testimonies collected so far, evidence of 12 cases of sexual assault and one rape has been found, and no further evidence is ruled out.
Asian algae: the green carpet that occupies the seabed of our shores
The appearance of this seaweed on our beaches is only a visible part, as Asian seaweed is forming real green carpets on the seabed of our coast, its spread threatens biodiversity and creates new challenges to control it.
The Spanish Government has finally passed the anti-smoking law prohibiting smoking on terraces and beaches
The new regulation equates e-cigarettes and vaporizers with conventional tobacco, extends smoke-free areas and restricts the sale of new products to specialized establishments.
Euskal Encounter will bring together about 5,000 participants and more than 4,000 computers in the BEC
The technology macroconference will take place from 23 to 26 July and special attention will be paid to artificial intelligence and quantum computers.
Three women have been killed in the last 24 hours in Malaga, Alicante and Toledo by male violence
The women, aged between 30 and 59, have been assaulted by their partners, two of whom have been arrested and a third has allegedly committed suicide. Auardia Civil investigates another case in Malaga.
Being rescued at the pier on the island of Lekeitio could cost up to 1,500 euros
A Decree-Law 2025 provides that the cost of the rescue operation may be attributable to the rescued person if the rescue is carried out in an area marked as dangerous, as it has been for weeks in the case of the pier to the island of Lekeitio.
Withholding at the A-8 off Muskiz in the Santander sense due to an accident between two cars
As a result of the accident, a lane has been cut off from traffic and traffic jams are taking place.