Children 1st welcomes University of Edinburgh report demonstrating the need for Bairns Hoose across Scotland
Children 1st has welcomed an independent report by social work researchers at the University of Edinburgh which examines the views of professionals about how children who are victims and witnesses of crime currently experience justice & support.
The research also considers learning from the ongoing development of Scotland’s first Bairns Hoose.
The research shows that children and their families face:
- A lack of accessible, appropriate recovery or therapeutic support
- Delays and adjournments in accessing justice
- Poor communication and difficulty navigating a complex and uncertain system
- Distressing and potentially retraumatising experiences in court.
While the research focuses on children and families in North Strathclyde, its findings are indicative of the experiences of children and families across the whole of Scotland.
In North Strathclyde, statutory agencies are working with Children 1st and our partners to develop the Bairns Hoose as an alternative model of support for children and their families. Based on the Scandinavian Barnahus approach, the Bairns Hoose is a multi-agency approach which offers children and young people who are victims or witnesses of crime all the support they need under one roof.
Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive, Children 1st, said: “This report from the University of Edinburgh provides further, substantive evidence that child victims’ and witnesses’ rights to justice, support and recovery are not being upheld.
"It confirms what children and families have told us for many years - that what happens to them after they report a crime can be more traumatising than the crime itself.
“We welcome the strong commitment from partners across North Strathclyde to be at the forefront of transforming the Scottish system and working alongside us and our partners to open a Bairns Hoose in the area later this year.
"We are also extremely grateful to players of the People’s Postcode Lottery whose support is making this pilot possible.
“This will transform the experience of child victims and witnesses in the area and inform the commitment to and development of Bairns Hoose across Scotland, so that every child who is a victim or witness to crime has their rights and needs met and can recover and thrive.”
Read the Edinburgh University report.
Read more about Bairns Hoose.