Resources › Child welfare services › The Children's House
The Children's House (Statens barnehus): when a child may have been subjected to violence or abuse
Draft, translated: translated from the Norwegian original with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is the authoritative one. See the Norwegian original →
The Children's House is a safe place where children can talk to the police, be examined and get follow-up. How it works, why the child rarely has to appear in court, and what to do if you are worried.
Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 16 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.
Many parents have never heard of the Children's House (Statens barnehus) before they suddenly find themselves there. This guide briefly explains what it is, so it feels a little less frightening.
What is the Children's House?
According to Statens barnehus, it is a multidisciplinary centre of expertise for children and young people under 18, and for particularly vulnerable adults with intellectual disabilities or other impairments. When violence or sexual abuse is suspected, the Children's House can arrange interviews, health examinations and follow-up. There is a Children's House in every police district, and some districts have several locations.
How do you get there?
The starting point is a report to the police. It is the police and the prosecuting authority who decide whether the child will be interviewed at the Children's House.
The interview
- Children and young people under 16, and particularly vulnerable adults, get an adapted interview (tilrettelagt avhør). It is led by a police lawyer and carried out by a specially trained police investigator.
- The interview is recorded with sound and video. The recording is evidence in the case, so the child usually does not have to appear in court.
- Young people aged 16 to 18 are usually interviewed at the police station.
The Children's House can also offer a health examination and follow-up and treatment afterwards, and offers consultation and guidance.
If you are worried about a child
- If the child is in acute danger, call 112.
- If you suspect violence or abuse, you can contact the police and the child welfare service. Read how to report a concern to child welfare services.
- Listen to the child, take it seriously, and say that you want to help. Ask the police or child welfare service for advice before you talk more with the child about what happened.
- On dinutvei.no you can find help and information about violence and abuse.
Tip: You can contact the Children's House in your area to find out more about how they work. See also violence in close relationships and compensation for victims of violence.
Sources
- Statens barnehus (Norwegian)
- Statens barnehus. What happens with us (Norwegian)
- Statens barnehus. List of Children's Houses (Norwegian)
- Dinutvei.no (Norwegian)
Kontaktpunkt24 gives general information, not legal advice. If you need help with your own case, contact a lawyer, a legal aid service, or the relevant authority.
This page is translated from Norwegian with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is always the authoritative one.