IWA 49
2025-03
What are the ISO Requirements for child-friendly services for victims of violence?
This document establishes international requirements and recommendations for multidisciplinary and interagency (MDIA) services that support children who have experienced violence. It provides a consistent global baseline to ensure child-friendly, trauma-informed, and effective responses. Inspired by successful models such as the Icelandic Barnahús (Children’s House), the framework integrates child welfare, criminal investigation, medical, and therapeutic services under one coordinated system. The requirements promote a supportive environment that prioritizes the well-being and rights of children, minimizing further trauma while ensuring access to justice and care.
Why is this framework important?
Violence against children is a widespread issue with severe and lasting effects on their physical and mental health. More than one billion adults today have experienced sexual violence during childhood. A fragmented or ineffective response can worsen the distress of survivors and hinder their recovery. This document provides a structured approach to ensure that services are child-friendly, collaborative, and efficient. By aligning efforts across different sectors, the framework improves protection, enhances the quality of evidence for judicial proceedings, and helps children receive the care and support they need in a safe environment.
Benefits
- Holistic child protection: Ensures children receive care, protection, and justice while minimizing secondary trauma.
- Stronger judicial outcomes: Encourages child-friendly forensic interviews to collect reliable testimony while prioritizing children’s well-being.
- Consistent global implementation: Establishes a unified approach to child-centered services, reducing disparities between countries.
- Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Supports Goal 16.2 (ending violence against children) and Goal 16.3 (promoting rule of law and access to justice), as well as Goal 5 (gender equality) by addressing gender-based violence.
Governments and child protection frontline services, such as welfare agencies, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and legal experts can use these requirements to implement effective, coordinated responses for child victims of violence.
By integrating services under one system, children avoid repeated questioning and stressful interactions with multiple agencies. The approach ensures that they receive comprehensive support in a safe, child-friendly environment.
Initiated by the government of Iceland, this document is the fruit of a collaboration led by ISO members for Iceland (Icelandic Standards) and Sweden (Swedish Institute for Standards). Over 100 experts from more than 20 countries contributed, including representatives from UNICEF, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, EuroPol, Eurojust, the Council of Europe, and the UN Office of the Special Representative on Violence against Children. The voices of children and survivors played a key role in shaping the framework to ensure it meets their needs effectively.