The birth of Barnahus: How Iceland revolutionised child protection
Behind the conversation
In a recent episode of “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt,” host Dr. Ivar Fahsing sat down with Bragi Guðbrandsson in Reykjavik to discuss one of the most significant innovations in child protection services. Their conversation revealed the fascinating story of how a small Nordic nation pioneered a model that would transform how Europe handles cases of child abuse.
Summary
- System in Crisis: In the mid-1990s, Iceland discovered its child protection system was severely fragmented across 180 local committees, with children facing multiple interviews and re-traumatisation through the legal process, prompting a need for systemic change.
- Revolutionary Solution: Bragi Guðbrandsson developed Barnahus (“Children’s House”), a revolutionary concept that united all child protection services under one roof, providing a child-friendly environment for forensic interviews, medical examinations, and therapy, despite initial resistance from medical and legal professionals.
- International Impact: The Barnahus model has since spread to 28 European states, with each country adapting it to their specific cultural and legal frameworks while maintaining its core principle of child-centered protection, demonstrating how fundamental systemic change can lead to better outcomes for vulnerable children.
A system in crisis
In the mid-1990s, Iceland faced a startling revelation. A groundbreaking research study showed that child sexual abuse was far more prevalent than anyone had imagined. The system meant to protect these vulnerable children was fragmented across 180 local committees, many serving populations of less than 300 people. Children were being interviewed multiple times, facing their alleged abusers in court, and experiencing profound re-traumatisation through the very process meant to help them.
The vision for change
Enter Bragi Guðbrandsson, who would become the architect of one of the most significant reforms in child protection services.
“We had over 100 cases per year being dealt with in different sectors – child protection, police, medical profession – but there was complete failure of the system to deal with these cases,” Guðbrandsson explains. The research revealed a disturbing lack of collaboration between agencies, an absence of professional guidelines, and children being subjected to repeated interviews.
Building the children’s house
The solution? Barnahus – literally “Children’s House” – a revolutionary concept that brought all services under one roof. But creating this haven for vulnerable children wasn’t without its challenges. The medical profession initially resisted, preferring to conduct examinations in hospitals. The legal community worried about neutrality, arguing that courthouses were more appropriate venues for taking testimony.
Proving its worth
Yet Guðbrandsson’s vision persisted. By creating a child-friendly environment where forensic interviews, medical examinations, and therapy could all take place, Barnahus dramatically improved both the experience of children and the quality of evidence gathered.
The impact was immediate and measurable. Research comparing children’s experiences in courthouses versus Barnahus showed stark differences. While children often encountered their alleged abusers in courthouse lifts or corridors, Barnahus provided a safe, non-intimidating environment that helped children share their experiences more fully.
A model that crossed borders
What began in Iceland has now spread across Europe, with 28 states adopting the model. But perhaps most fascinating is how Barnahus has evolved. As Guðbrandsson notes, “Barnahus is not a recipe for the cookshop of the future. Rather, you have in Barnahus the ingredients to make something that aligns with your culture, your legal framework, and your professional traditions.”
Adapting to local needs
This flexibility has been key to its success. Each country has adapted the model to fit its own legal and cultural context while maintaining the core principle: putting children’s needs at the centre of the process.
A legacy of change
The spread of Barnahus across Europe represents more than just the adoption of a new system – it represents a fundamental shift in how we think about protecting vulnerable children. It shows that when we prioritise the experience of those we’re trying to help, we often end up with better outcomes for everyone involved.
From that first centre in Reykjavik to dozens across Europe, Barnahus stands as a testament to what can be achieved when we’re willing to fundamentally rethink our established systems. It reminds us that sometimes the most effective solutions come not from incremental improvements to existing processes, but from daring to imagine an entirely new approach.
