Kompetenzzentrum Kinderschutz im Gesundheitswesen Nordrhein-Westfalen

The professionalization in dealing with suspected cases of child abuse in the healthcare sector has triggered a growing need for advice and further training. In particular, the classification of injuries often requires forensic medical expertise, which is difficult to cover in federal states such as North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) without additional (job) funding.

In April 2019, the Competence Center Child Protection in the Healthcare System NRW (“Kompetenzzentrum Kinderschutz im Gesundheitswesen NRW”, KKG NRW) was created as a service that combines forensic medical advice (at the main location of the Institute of Forensic Medicine Cologne) and pediatric expertise (at the “Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik Datteln”). The KKG NRW is funded by the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MAGS). The aim of this evaluation is to describe the need for advice and the opportunities that a state-funded project can offer.

Descriptive evaluation of the various activities of the KKG NRW in the first funding period and proportionately in the second period.

In addition to telephone counselling (432 cases) and e‑mail contact (277 cases), the online consultation system (1228 cases) enables data protection-compliant counselling, including the transmission of images. The use of the consultation system has become established, with physical abuse cases being the most frequently advised. The KKG NRW also provides support through specialist training and working materials on various topics. The KKG NRW was further expanded through the inclusion of the public health service and pediatric radiology.

It remains a challenge to secure funding for such a comprehensive range of advisory and training services as the KKG NRW. Long-term funding from public institutions is crucial in order to strengthen projects such as these and to retain qualified staff in these projects in order to make a sustainable contribution to child protection.