On 5 and 6 June 2025, the third inter-regional meeting of the European Union - Council of Europe joint project “Barnahus in Spain – Strengthening child-friendly justice among Barnahus-type services in Spanish regions (Phases I and II)” was held in Madrid.

The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with Parliament (Palacio de Parcent) and brought together around 80 representatives from the 19 Autonomous Communities and Cities (CCAA) across Spain. The meeting aimed to advance the coordinated implementation of integrated response mechanisms to combat sexual violence against children.

This annual gathering, following previous meetings in Tarragona and Las Palmas, discussed the project’s progress. Key highlights included the updated draft of the Mapping study, which analyses legal and policy framework for protecting child victims and witnesses of violence at national and regional levels, as well as the roll-out of the Roadmaps and the Communication Guide for implementing the Barnahus model in Spain. This work is carried out with the active collaboration of focal points in various areas designated by each territory, reflecting a co-governance and inter-territorial cooperative approach.

The event also featured the presentation of promising practices in child protection and child-friendly justice from the Community of Madrid, including an overview of the pilot Barnahus units and the initiative involving support dogs for children in courts during forensic interviews.

Looking ahead, the updated Mapping study and a Guide for Journalists on Reporting Cases of Violence Against Children will be presented at an event scheduled for November 2025.

The Project is co-funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in co-operation with the European Commission, Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM), and in collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Youth and Childhood and Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Parliament.

The meeting coincided with the 5th World Congress on Justice with Children, held in Madrid from June 2 to 4 under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and hosted by the Ministry of Youth and Childhood.