Step by step standing up a Barnahus in Catalonia: A simulation-based training program to avoid secondary victimization in the assessment and treatment of child sexual abuse.

ended

The lack of professional training and coordination between institutions represent a serious problem when fighting against secondary victimization in Spain. The main objective of the project is to create and implement a simulation-based training program for the development of the specific skills and personal abilities needed by professionals working in the first Barnahus in Catalonia, whose ultimate goal is to avoid the secondary victimization of children and adolescents who may have experienced sexual abuse. During the development of the STEPS project, the experience will be systematized in order to finally provide an evidence-based guide on education and training for the professionals working on the Barnahus all over Europe who want to implement a simulation-based training program. This training program is planned to train all professionals (i.e., forensic and clinical psychologists, social workers, paediatricians) working at the first Barnahus, who will attend an average of 100 children per year and also professionals who will work in the future Barnahus expected to be created in the next two years in the five regions of Catalonia (250 professionals). It is expected that the project will introduce a new repertory of skills and knowledge to the professionals involved in the different areas of assessment and intervention with CSA victims. The project aims to favour the common good in the legal process of CSA cases, and increase the number of condemnatory sentences based on objective and evidence-based decisions. It will also join the European Barnahus Movement and share with other European countries the obtained outcomes, knowledge and good practices. The main output of the project will be the number of professionals attending the program. It will propose both transversal and specialized training all combined from an interdisciplinary approach. STEPS can be seen as a pioneer educational model susceptible of promoting the bases of new Barnahus all over Spain.