World-first ISO Requirements for child-friendly services for victims of violence launched today during the 58th Human Rights Council
GENEVA, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a historic move to combat the global crisis of violence against children, ISO has today unveiled the world's first Requirements and recommendations for child-friendly multidisciplinary and interagency response services for children who are victims of violence.
Announced jointly with the Permanent Mission of Iceland during the 58th United Nations Human Rights Council, the new initiative aims to transform the way child victims receive care, protection and justice.
UNICEF estimates that over one billion people experienced violence during childhood. Every four minutes, a child dies due to violence somewhere in the world. The consequences of such violence are devastating and lifelong, affecting brain development, mental and physical health, and a child's ability to learn.
To address this critical issue, ISO proudly developed the first-ever global guidelines for child-friendly services for victims of violence, to enhance protection through a holistic and child-centred approach, providing internationally recognized standards for a coordinated response.
ISO Secretary-General Sergio Mujica said the initiative sought to uphold and advance the human rights of children.
'With these new international requirements, ISO is establishing a global approach that ensures child victims receive the compassionate, coordinated support they need, without being retraumatized by the very systems meant to help them,' Mr Mujica said.
'The requirements establish a global baseline for multidisciplinary and interagency services, ensuring that child protection efforts meet a high standard worldwide while allowing for adaptability to different legal, cultural, and social environments.
'Importantly, the guidelines have been developed with the input of child abuse survivors, children, and key global partners, making it a truly inclusive approach for addressing violence against children.'
Development of the guidelines was proposed by the Ministry of Education and Children of Iceland, a member of the Human Rights Council, and led by ISO members Icelandic Standards (IST) and Swedish Institute for Standards (SIS). It involved the active participation of more than 100 contributors including the Icelandic Government, UNICEF, the Council of Europe, Europol, Eurojust, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, and the UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Children, Iceland, Ms. Erna Kristín Blöndal, said, 'These recommendations are rooted in the Icelandic Barnahús (Children's House) model. Our hope is that they will address challenges posed by fragmented services and emphasize the importance of integrated, holistic approaches to safeguarding children from further harm.'
UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Regina De Dominicis, said, 'Violence against children is pervasive, and the consequences are lifelong. Yet, the services and support children affected by violence receive are often substandard, compounding children's trauma. This universal framework has the power to change this through standardization of child protection models like Barnahús, ensuring that every child receives the same level of quality care and protection.'
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