Scotland’s first Bairns Hoose receives international recognition
The opening of Scotland’s first Bairns Hoose signifies a long awaited and desperately needed transformation in protection, care, justice and recovery for children and young people in Scotland who are victims and witnesses of crime. It was developed by Children 1st, in partnership with Victim Support Scotland, The University of Edinburgh and Children England, and made possible thanks to funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Scotland’s Bairns Hoose is rooted in the world renowned Barnahus approach, and we were honoured to welcome Olivia Lind Haldorsson, President of the Promise Barnahus Network and Head of the Children at Risk Unit at the Council of the Baltic Sea States to speak at the Bairns Hoose opening event. Here we share Olivia’s inspirational message:
It is a real pleasure to be with you today at the launch of Scotland’s first Barnahus, which I had the pleasure of visiting yesterday. And I already know that it is a house that will inspire others who are on the same journey as you.
I have, and have had, the immense privilege of being a travel companion to a number of countries on their journeys towards Barnahus, and I am always so honoured to share moments like today.
Honoured, and inspired, to be among people who will not stop learning, seeking inspiration and knowledge, taking action, stumbling, getting up again, continuing, moving forward. Not because they want something for themselves, but because they are convinced to do what it takes to promote and fulfil the rights of children who have been exposed to violence, as a victim or witness.
We ask a lot of these children. No matter the justice outcome, they should always come out of the process in a better place than where they began their journey. Yet, I so often come across testimonies of children who regret that the violence they experienced was reported, due to the trauma and delays they have suffered during the criminal investigation and judicial process. Children, who had to overcome substantial barriers to disclose what happened to them in the first place.
Today, we all agree that interagency collaboration and child centred protection, justice and care is best practice. But we also recognise that it is not without challenges! It demands commitment and investment from political leaders and agencies involved. It needs to be anchored firmly in a supportive civil society and in our communities. There must be solid building blocks in place for a well-functioning organisation that enables agencies to work together. And, the cooperation must be set up in a way that places children’s rights, needs and interests at the centre.>
But to quote US President J F Kennedy, who spoke about another journey – to the moon… “we choose to do these things not because they are easy”[1]
We are doing this because it is necessary.
And because it sometime is hard, we need to come together to do it, with curiosity, generosity and trust so that we really capitalise on the experience, knowledge, passion and commitment of all stakeholders, including children and their families.
And, contrary to space travel, it really isn’t rocket science! While it might feel hard to believe, trust me, we have not seen anything from Scotland that makes us believe that it is impossible, very different or even more complicated than other countries that have embarked on this journey.
We have heard here today that it is about time that Scotland get Barnahus. So hurry, but hurry with care! Do not compromise on the very foundations and principles of Barnahus, and a balanced approach, which involves protection, justice, and a path to recovery, including physical and mental health.
This is not a race to put down a flag on the moon, it is a journey that we commit to because no matter how easy or hard we make it, we need to get it done.
Today, you have reached an important milestone on that journey.
This here is not the finish flag! We bring it with us to these kind of occasions as a reminder that you are part of a trusted community that you can look to for support and inspiration, for ideas, and excellence in practice, as you always have. And, that we and others increasingly will look to you for support and inspiration, for ideas and excellence in practice, just like you have inspired and guided the network on child participation already.
So to end, I would like to ask Mary from Children 1st to accept this flag from the Barnahus network, as an expression of our deep admiration for your leadership, commitment and passion, and as an acknowledgement to everyone in your partnership who have contributed to this achievement.
Our warmest congratulations on behalf of the European Barnahus movement!
[1] Full quote: “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard [emphasis added]; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win, and the others, too.” US President JF Kennedy, Rice University's Rice Stadium, September 12, 1962.