The National Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse (CNPAC) presents this update on Barnahus progress in Moldova.
“Inspired by the Icelandic model, the first Barnahus-type centre in the Republic of Moldova was opened in 2022 in Bălți, covering 571 localities in the northern region of the country. In its first year of operation, the center assisted 78 children and 60 adults, while in 2023 the number of child beneficiaries increased to 202, with most cases related to sexual abuse and domestic violence. The need for this service was further confirmed in 2024, when 268 children received integrated support – 68% of them girls and 70% aged between 11 and 18. From its opening until the end of 2024, the Barnahus North Center provided specialized support to over 600 child victims/witnesses of crimes and to over 370 adults — parents, guardians, or caregivers.
In December 2023, the National Center for Child Abuse Prevention (CNPAC) was officially accredited as a Barnahus service provider, currently being the only organisation in Moldova with this status. In collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and UNICEF Moldova, CNPAC is actively working to open the country’s second Barnahus center in July 2025, in the southern city of Cahul.”
For more information about the work of the Regional Integrated Assistance Center for Child Victims/Witnesses of Crime North (Barnahus North), please visit: www.barnahus.md.
First Barnahus Conference in Moldova: Over 100 professionals reaffirmed their commitment to child-friendly justice for victims of violence
“On June 23, the first national conference “Barnahus Moldova: An Integrated Vision for Protecting Child Victims” took place in Chișinău — a landmark event in the field of child-friendly justice.
The conference was organized by the National Center for Child Abuse Prevention (CNPAC), in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, UNICEF, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through the German Development Bank (KfW), the Council of Europe, and the World Childhood Foundation. The event focused on the development of Barnahus in the Republic of Moldova — the most effective European practice for multidisciplinary intervention in cases of children who are victims of violence.
The event brought together over 120 participants, including representatives from central public authorities, the justice system, child protection and healthcare services, along with international partners, civil society, academic institutions, and the team of the country’s first Barnahus-type center – the Regional Integrated Assistance Center for Child Victims of Crime (North).
In his remarks, Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Alexei Buzu, stated:
“Barnahus reflects a coordinated, child-centered approach that offers a more humane and effective response to cases of violence. Our goal is to ensure that more and more child victims benefit from this type of integrated intervention. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection will continue, together with its partners, to expand the Barnahus network and strengthen intersectoral cooperation.”
During the event, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection announced, with the support of UNICEF and funding from the German Development Bank (KfW), the intention to open a Southern Barnahus Center in the fall of 2025.
The firm determination of all partners to guarantee every child victim access to integrated services was unanimously reaffirmed, reflecting a common will for coordinated action focused on the best interests of the child.
“This strategic investment is more than financial — it’s catalytic. It helps Moldova move toward a national model in which services follow the child — not the other way around — and institutions respond collectively, not in isolation. That’s how systems change — and how children’s lives are protected and transformed,” emphasized Maha Damaj, UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Moldova.
Daniela Sîmboteanu, President of CNPAC, emphasized the importance of integrated intervention:
“CNPAC has supported the development of Barnahus in Moldova from its inception, contributing to the creation of the legal framework and the training of professionals. Since 2022, as service providers for the Barnahus North Center, we have provided integrated assistance to over 600 child victims. Our experience shows that coordinated intervention makes a real difference in protecting children and reducing retraumatization.”
The agenda included panels focused on aligning Moldova with European standards in child-friendly justice, analyzing the implementation of Barnahus centers across Europe, and presenting the results of the Barnahus North Center between 2022–2025.
The inter-institutional dialogue space created during the conference facilitated discussions on challenges related to ensuring the best interests of the child at all stages of handling a case of violence against a child.
Particular emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen a continuous training mechanism for professionals involved in multidisciplinary intervention within Barnahus-type services. In this regard, Olivia Lind Haldorsson, Secretary General of the PROMISE European Network, shared insights from European countries’ experience in this field.
At the close of the conference, participants expressed a shared commitment to developing a functional network of Barnahus centers in the Republic of Moldova. Representatives of government institutions, international partners, and civil society agreed on the need to strengthen the regulatory framework, establish a mechanism for monitoring Barnahus standards, and ensure a sustainable system for training professionals who work with child victims.”