On 25 May 2023, the Children’s Rights Division of the Council of Europe and UNICEF Montenegro held a webinar to present and discuss the Feasibility Study for Barnahus in Montenegro.

UNICEF and the Council of Europe are currently supporting the Government of Montenegro in establishing a Barnahus (Children’s House) as part of the Government’s endeavour to strengthen child protection and provide a concrete integrated response mechanism for combating violence against children in Montenegro. As a first step in the process, and upon the Government’s request, UNICEF and Council of Europe have supported the development of the “Feasibility Study for Barnahus in Montenegro”.

Lejla Dervišagić, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Montenegro, praised the efforts and commitment of the Montenegro’s Government to implement the Barnahus model in the country in line with Council of Europe standards. Sabina Žunić, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Montenegro, emphasised that incorporating the Barnahus interagency approach to dealing with child sexual abuse cases is essential to protect the rights of children in contact with the law and avoid re-victimisation, all in line with UN, EU and CoE standards on child friendly and access to justice. Andrej Bracanović, Adviser in the Office of the Prime Minister, underlined that the protection of children’s rights is one of the main priorities of the Montenegrin Government. This is demonstrated by the creation of the Council of the Rights of the Child, which is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes as members child representatives to ensure child participation.

The Feasibility Study analyses the country’s legal, regulatory and policy framework, takes stock of the existing good practices and identifies gaps and barriers to successful introduction of the Barnahus model. The Study offers concrete recommendations on how to facilitate the introduction of the model, particularly in the areas of legal reform and capacity building for professionals carrying out forensic interviews and forensic examinations.

Feasibility Study for Barnahus in Montenegro (ENG)

Feasibility Study for Barnahus in Montenegro (MNE)

Along with the ratification of the Convention of the Rights of a Child, Montenegro ratified the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention) in 2010 and  Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) in 2013.