Meeting room: Sydney

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, time-limited psychotherapy developed specifically for trauma treatment. Endorsed by the WHO and numerous national guidelines, it is considered one of the most effective treatments for PTSD in both adults and children.

This session introduces EMDR therapy in detail, and explores its potential integration into Barnahus as a trauma-focused mental health intervention aligned with justice, protection, and recovery goals.

Dr. Kerstin Stellermann-Strehlow will introduce EMDR as a therapeutic method in childhood and adolescence, including the current state of research and clinical outcomes. She will walk participants through both the standard and age-adapted EMDR protocols, using clinical case examples to illustrate how EMDR can be used even when children cannot verbalise their trauma or speak the same language fluently. Particular attention will be given to the suitability of EMDR for children with high levels of shame, limited cognitive or language capacity, and those for whom traditional talk therapies may be less effective.

Paola Cardenas will contribute insights from using EMDR at Barnahus Iceland. She will share lessons on clinician training, integration within the multidisciplinary response, and the importance of timing and readiness for EMDR within broader therapeutic engagement.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Understand the theoretical basis, structure, and core mechanisms of EMDR therapy
• Become familiar with the evidence for EMDR’s use in child trauma and PTSD treatment
• Reflect on how EMDR could be introduced or expanded in Barnahus
• Explore clinical and organisational considerations, including integration into case planning in Barnahus
• Be informed about upcoming EMDR training opportunities 

Reading material: Psychological interventions implementation manual: integrating evidence-based psychological interventions into existing services – WHO

Moderator: Andrej DEL FABRO, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Slovenia, and Barnahus Network steering group member 

Speakers:

• Dr. Kerstin STELLERMANN-STREHLOW, Kst-traumahilfe / Charité, Germany
• Paola CARDENAS, Barnahus Iceland

Andrej DEL FABRO is the Barnahus Project Manager and Head of the Child-Friendly Criminal Justice Department at the Ministry of Justice in Slovenia. A seasoned public administrator, he has been at the forefront of Slovenia’s efforts to build a child-friendly justice system. Andrej played a key role in drafting and enacting Slovenia’s landmark Barnahus legislation in 2021, which paved the way for the country’s first Barnahus, which opened in Ljubljana in 2022. In his current role, he coordinates cross-ministerial initiatives to ensure that child victims and witnesses receive integrated support. Andrej’s broad professional background includes leadership positions in the Ministries of Social Affairs and Health, which gives him a comprehensive perspective on protecting children’s rights. His leadership has been vital in institutionalising the Barnahus model in Slovenian policy and practice.

Dr. Kerstin STELLERMANN-STREHLOW is a German board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and renowned trauma specialist. She leads KST-Traumahilfe, her practice focused on treating traumatised children and youth and training child-trauma-therapists. She has worked in various countries (South Africa, Kosovo) bringing healing to conflict-affected children. Since 2023, she has been a Research Coordinator at Charité Berlin on an EU co-funded Barnahus project called PROMISE Elpis, where she developed tools and training for psychosocial support in Barnahus in cases of online sexual violence. She is also a certified senior EMDR Europe Child and Adolescence trainer and a sought-after speaker. She regularly trains clinicians across Europe on child trauma care, – therapy and especially EMDR with children, adolescents and their caregivers. Kerstin was previously a senior consultant at different child psychiatric clinics, where she headed multidisciplinary trauma programs and implemented innovative, stressor-based treatments for acute and complex trauma cases in out- and inpatient settings. Her career reflects a commitment to “peace work” through psychotherapy – helping children recover from violence and breaking cycles of trauma across generations.

Dr. Paola CARDENAS is a clinical psychologist and family therapist who serves as the team leader at Barnahus Iceland in Reykjavik. Through her work, she ensures that every child receives a comprehensive mental health assessment, and an individualised treatment plan tailored to their needs. She completed her Ph.D. in Psychology in Iceland and is a key figure in the field of child abuse and the psychological impact of trauma on children and adolescents in the country. Paola is also an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Iceland. Her research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and services at Barnahus, with additional emphasis on child welfare, child abuse, and trauma-informed mental health care. Paola brings extensive frontline experience to her role: prior to joining Barnahus, she served as Chief Psychologist for the Children’s Prevention and Treatment Team at Suðurnes Hospital. At Barnahus Iceland, she specialises in trauma-focused, evidence-based therapies, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Combined Parent-Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.tims. Her expertise encompasses multidisciplinary interagency coordination, court processes, and implementing the Barnahus Quality Standards in practice. Eimear is also active in training and sharing best practices internationally to help other regions establish similar child-friendly, multidisciplinary responses to child abuse.

Meeting room: Ballroom

Online sexual violence against children is rising rapidly, yet many children affected by this form of abuse remain underserved. This session explores what Barnahus teams need to know—and do differently—to meet the needs of these children and support their recovery and access to justice.

Linda Jonsson will set the scene about the unique challenges presented by online sexual violence against children, including the persistent perception among many professionals that it has a lesser impact on children compared to conventional forms of violence. She will further present recent findings from Sweden, including the new Childhood Foundation report “Sprickor i systemet,” (Cracks in the System) which highlights gaps in interagency coordination and systemic barriers children face after online abuse. 

The voices of children will feature centrally through insights gathered by Children First, reflecting what young people want and need from professionals after online harm. Themes include the importance of being believed, going at the child’s pace, having support from a trusted adult or organisation, and careful coordination between Barnahus, police, and other actors.

Protect Children, Finland will present selected insights from their work supporting non-offending caregivers of children affected by online sexual violence. Drawing from their peer support group model “You Are Enough,” and an accompanying caregiver guide developed with European partners, the presentation will explore how caregivers process complex emotions such as guilt, grief, and helplessness, and how professionals can support them in turn. Topics will include how to help caregivers respond constructively to disclosure, manage feelings of failure and shame, and rebuild trust with their children. 

By the end of this session, participants will: 

• Be informed about the specific challenges and misconceptions that limit effective responses to online sexual violence against children
• Gain insights into what children and young people say they need from professionals after online harm, including key relational and procedural factor
• Understand how to support non-offending caregivers through trauma, disclosure, and family healing processes
• Reflect on practical ways Barnahus teams and their interagency partners can adapt case management and service delivery to meet the needs of this group

Moderator: Anette BIRGERSSON, Marie Cederschiöld University, Sweden 

Speakers:

• Katariina LEIVO, Protect Children, Finland 
• Mary GLASGOW, Children First, Scotland 
• Linda JONSSON, Marie Cederschiöld University, Sweden

Anette BIRGERSSON is a Swedish trauma therapist and internationally recognised trainer in evidence-based therapies for abused children. A qualified social worker and licensed psychotherapist, she has over 20 years’ experience working with children and adolescents impacted by sexual abuse and trauma. Anette is a certified trainer and supervisor in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for youth. She founded SkillsClinic in Sweden, and frequently serves as a keynote speaker and educator across Europe, Australia, and the US. Anette’s mission is to improve practitioners’ understanding of trauma and to spread effective therapeutic approaches within Barnahus and similar services. She collaborates with Barnahus teams to implement therapeutic approaches and has been involved in the Barnahus Network’s capacity-building (for example, delivering TF-CBT courses to clinicians). With her engaging style and deep expertise, Anette Birgersson has trained hundreds of professionals, ultimately helping to ensure child victims receive compassionate, skilled therapy on their road to healing.

Katariina LEIVO is a Senior Specialist at Protect Children (Suojellaan Lapsia ry) in Finland, as well as a trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapist working with children and youth affected by sexual violence, including online exploitation. She spent 17 years in London’s multicultural child services sector, promoting the wellbeing and recovery of vulnerable children and families, before returning to Finland to focus on protecting children from sexual abuse and supporting survivors. At Protect Children, Katariina plays a leading role in developing innovative support models – for example, facilitating the “You Are Enough” peer support groups for non-offending parents of child victims of online sexual abuse. She actively contributes her clinical expertise to governmental and international working groups, and regularly speaks at international conferences and panels on child protection. Katariina’s work ensures that Barnahus and similar services integrate specialised support for victims of online sexual exploitation and their families, helping professionals respond to new challenges in the digital age.

Mary GLASGOW is the Chief Executive of Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity, and a driving force behind the country’s implementation of Barnahus in Scotland (known locally as “Bairns’ Hoose”). Under her leadership, Children First established Scotland’s first Bairns’ Hoose in North Strathclyde. Mary has over three decades of experience in children’s services and has championed transformational change in how the justice and care systems respond to abuse. She works closely with government, academia, and partners (like Victim Support Scotland and police/judicial authorities) to test and develop the Barnahus approach in the Scottish context. Mary is a vocal advocate for children’s rights: she emphasises that children should be able to give evidence and heal from trauma without enduring the harm of traditional court processes. Internationally, she shares Scotland’s journey and encourages bold, rights-based reforms. Through her vision and advocacy, the Bairns’ Hoose has already supported hundreds of children and influenced plans to roll out Scotland’s approach nationally.

Linda JONSSON is a Swedish researcher and clinical expert specialising in child sexual abuse and exploitation. She holds a Ph.D. in child psychiatry and is an Associate Professor of social work, currently lecturing and researching at Marie Cederschiöld University. Jonsson’s career spans roles as head of the sexual abuse unit at Barnafrid (Sweden’s national knowledge center on violence against children) and as the European Barnahus competence centre coordinator for the Barnahus Network at the Council of the Baltic Sea States. Her research focuses on online exploitation, impact of trauma, and improving therapeutic interventions for child victims. Linda has published extensively, and has helped develop a Barnahus Quality Standard on child protection. She is actively involved in international Barnahus initiatives, ensuring that practice is informed by the latest evidence.

Meeting room: Atlantic

This session aims to support participants in advocating for the routine inclusion of medical staff on multidisciplinary teams, and the consistent provision of medical evaluations in Barnahus.

Barnahus are uniquely positioned to identify and respond to the full spectrum of needs of child victims and witnesses of violence. Medical evaluations are not only essential for identifying, documenting, and addressing physical signs of abuse, but also for recognising broader physical, psychological, and functional symptoms that may impact the child’s recovery and participation in justice processes.

Integrating medical evaluations as a core part of Barnahus ensures a holistic approach that provides a more complete understanding of each child. This, in turn, enhances multidisciplinary collaboration and supports evidence-based care that meets both therapeutic and justice-related needs.

This session presents recent data and practice insights from England. Briony Arrowsmith will share findings from The Havens on patterns of allegations, medical findings, and the role of medical assessments in the broader Barnahus response. Through the use of case vignettes, Dr Anna Uwagboe will examine the impact of functional symptoms—such as pain, fatigue, and dissociation—on children’s well-being, autonomy, and their capacity to engage in interviews, therapy, and daily life. Together, these perspectives offer a joint framework for strengthening multidisciplinary practice in Barnahus.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Have information and inspiration to convince colleagues to include medical staff on multidisciplinary teams, and to include routine medical and functional symptom assessments in Barnahus
• Understand how findings from medical evaluations can inform legal, therapeutic, and protection decisions
• Explore how multidisciplinary teams can use medical input to deliver more coordinated and individualised care

Note: This session will discuss real case examples. The purpose is to illustrate the real-world impact of whole of body evaluations and the role in supporting the investigations and interventions that Barnahus provide. 

Moderator: Briony ARROWSMITH, The Havens, England and Barnahus Network Steering Group member

Speakers:

• Briony ARROWSMITH, The Havens, England and Barnahus Network Steering Group member
• Dr Anna UWAGBOE, The Lighthouse, England

Dr. Briony ARROWSMITH is a medical doctor and child safeguarding specialist in London. She is a Consultant Paediatrician at The Havens, a sexual assault referral centre network under King’s College Hospital NHS Trust. In her role, Dr. Arrowsmith provides medical evaluations and care for children and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse, working closely with forensic and mental health professionals. She has a special interest in improving healthcare pathways for child victims – ensuring timely medical exams, evidence collection, and follow-up support. Briony is also a member of the Barnahus Network Steering Group, representing the UK’s HAVENS. She frequently trains GPs and paediatricians on recognising abuse and has contributed to research (e.g., on medical findings in child sexual abuse cases). In 2023 she featured on a GPnotebook podcast to educate clinicians about managing suspicions of abuse. 

Dr. Anna UWAGBOE  is a physician at The Lighthouse in London, the UK’s first Barnahus. A paediatric specialist by training, Dr. Uwagboe plays a key role on the Lighthouse’s clinical team, addressing the physical health and recovery needs of children who have suffered sexual abuse. She conducts comprehensive medical assessments – looking at injuries, symptoms (including functional issues like pain or dissociation), and overall well-being – to inform both care and any forensic investigations. Anna also provides immediate health interventions such as preventive treatments for STIs, vaccinations, and emergency contraception when needed and as recommended in paediatric sexual assault cases. Her work highlights “why health matters” for abused children: Uwagboe has co-authored research on unmet health needs among children seen at Barnahus London. She collaborates closely with the mental health team to ensure that medical and therapeutic supports are integrated. Dr. Uwagboe’s compassionate approach and clinical insight help to ensure the Lighthouse truly offers an “oasis of calm” and comprehensive care for every child.