The overall objective is to ensure early identification, adequate assistance, protection and access to child-friendly justice, with specific emphasis on cases where online technology is an integral element to the abuse.
The main activities of the project are:
a) the implementation and evaluation of the effectiveness of protocols and procedures adapted to the specific requirements and needs that may arise in the context of online sexual violence against children, and
b) the implementation of training in relation to
• the development of multidisciplinary teams and inter-agency cooperation in cases of online child sexual violence;
• and specialized interventions, including investigations, medical and therapeutic interventions, crisis support and victim support.
HEUNI’s role in the project focuses on the criminal justice process and aims to provide criminal justice actors and in particular law enforcement with skills and adapted interviewing tools to ensure the criminal justice process is sensitive to the needs of the children involved. In particular, HEUNI will be working on developing an adapted interview protocol for investigating online sexual abuse cases, with the aim of focusing on information that is relevant for the criminal justice process and at the same time as child-friendly as possible. PROMISE ELPIS will promote this interview protocol and provide training possibilities to professionals involved. The interview protocol and related trainings builds on both scientific research, experiences by professionals and the views of the implicated children.
The target group of the project include professionals in law enforcement, judicial authorities, social services, mental and physical health services. While the project specifically targets professionals who practice in Barnahus, it is relevant, and will welcome the involvement of professionals who wish to enhance their skills and knowhow to work in a multidisciplinary team, and to implement evidence- based practice in support of victims of in the context of online child sexual violence.
This project is co-funded by the European Union.
