On 18 May 2026, a high-level dialogue was held in Lisbon to explore child-friendly and multidisciplinary responses to violence against children, with a focus on the Barnahus model as a concrete implementation of international standards, particularly the Council of Europe Convention on the protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention). Organised by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in collaboration with the Children’s Rights Division, the event took place on the eve of the 31st North-South Prize Award Ceremony.
The dialogue opened with remarks from Bragi Guðbrandsson, member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, and one of the two laureates of the this year’s Prize in recognition of his pioneering role in the field of child protection as a founder of the Barnahus model. He provided an overview of international standards on the protection of child victims, highlighting the intertwined nature of the protection of children from sexual violence and the provision of child-friendly justice.
María José Castello-Branco, Chairperson of the Lanzarote Committee, presented the Lanzarote Convention as the most comprehensive binding international instrument providing a holistic response to sexual violence against children. She emphasised how the Lanzarote Committee has contributed to the proliferation of Barnahus and other integrated services for child victims.
Sabrina Gahar, Chairperson of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), presented relevant African standards for child protection, such as the Guidelines on Action for Children in the Justice System in Africa, and reflected on the opportunities and challenges of developing multidisciplinary and interagency response services for child victims in the region.
Candice Harris, National Lived Experience Lead at Bluestar Project and author of Indescribable, a powerful memoir recounting her own childhood sexual abuse, also joined the conversation. She underscored the importance of integrating survivors’ voices into policy making and service design, and called for stronger efforts to challenge the silence that prevents children from seeking help.
Throughout the open discussion, participants explored how the Barnahus model can be adapted to different national and regional contexts, with a view to delivering timely justice and support to child victims while minimising further harm.
Barnahus mapping study (2023)
Calls for Tenders
