A two-day pilot training on adopting a trauma-informed approach to child sexual abuse was held in Portlaoise, Ireland, on 9–10 April 2025. Designed to support the implementation of the Barnahus model, the training aimed to enhance participants’ ability to recognise, respond to, and support children affected by sexual abuse through a trauma-informed lens, in line with the Barnahus model.
The event brought together 25 professionals from key agencies integral to the Barnahus model’s interagency and multidisciplinary framework in Ireland. Attendees included members of An Garda Síochána, social workers from Tusla, staff from Barnahus South and West, and medical and therapeutic professionals from Children’s Health Ireland and the Health Service Executive.
Building on participants’ existing knowledge and experience, the training deepened their capacity to respond to child sexual abuse in a way that prioritises the child’s safety, dignity, and recovery. Interactive group exercises facilitated stronger multidisciplinary and interagency collaboration between stakeholders, improving coordination in identifying abuse, managing referrals, and ensuring that Barnahus services are used effectively without overwhelming capacity, and always with the child’s best interests at the core.
Participant feedback highlighted the training’s relevance and value, offering key insights for refining future sessions. These suggestions will inform updates to the content and delivery, making the training more robust and practical for frontline implementation.
The overarching aim is to embed this trauma-informed training into standard practice for all professionals working in or around Barnahus, as well as those who interact directly or indirectly in with children in their work across Ireland.
