Premiere in Romania on Children's Day: The First Pediatric Forensic Medicine Office Is Being Set Up

PRESS RELEASE

Bucharest, 2nd of June 2025

An important step in protecting children who have experienced trauma: work begins on Romania’s first pediatric forensic medicine office. The initiative is led by the Association for Victims of Sexual Crimes (VIS), in partnership with the Notar 2006 Foundation of the Bucharest Chamber of Public Notaries and with the support of the „Mina Minovici“ National Institute of Forensic Medicine (INML) in Bucharest.

On International Children's Day, the three organizations announce the signing of an agreement marking a milestone in Romania’s pediatric forensic field: the creation of a safe space, tailored to the needs of children, within the „Mina Minovici“ INML in Bucharest. This space will be dedicated to conducting forensic examinations of children who are victims or witnesses of abuse.

„The „Mina Minovici“ National Institute of Forensic Medicine welcomes the start of construction for the pediatric forensic medicine office in Bucharest. Thanks to the collaboration between VIS Association, the Notar 2006 Foundation, and our team, children who have gone through traumatic experiences will finally benefit from a safe, age-appropriate environment where forensic procedures are carried out with maximum sensitivity and scientific rigor. For us, protecting the child’s dignity and emotional integrity is just as important as the accuracy of the forensic examination. By setting up this office, we enable faster and more effective assessments, free from additional traumatic stimuli, thereby reducing secondary victimization and supporting the psychological recovery of young patients. We are committed to continuously supporting the development of professional competencies, ensuring the highest technical standards, and expanding this model to other centers in the country in the medium term. This is not just a symbolic first on Children’s Day — it is a concrete step toward a more empathetic, modern, and better-prepared forensic system for the most vulnerable among us“, said Dr. Sorin Hostiuc, forensic specialist and director of the „Mina Minovici“ National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bucharest.

„The trauma of an abused child is hard to put into words. Even the experience of undergoing a forensic examination in an inadequate space can be retraumatizing. We believe that this pediatric forensic office is a victory against the vicious cycle of marginalization, failure, and aggressive responses faced by many abused children. The notarial community of the Bucharest Chamber of Public Notaries is proud to wholeheartedly support projects that give children a chance at dignity and a better future“, added Monica Pop, public notary and president of the Notar 2006 Foundation.

„A year ago, our team traveled across the country and spoke with doctors and nurses in forensic medical services and institutes in almost every region of Romania. What we found were overwhelmed professionals facing not only a lack of technical resources, but also the challenge of managing delicate encounters with traumatized children without the necessary training. With the support of our partners, several nurses have entered a mentoring program with examiners from the United States“, emphasized Mihaela Chiper, president of the VIS Association.

The design project for the new office was developed by Constanța-based architect Lucian Sârbu, who envisioned a calm and trauma-free space where children feel safe and heard. The office will feature four functional areas: a waiting room, a sample collection room, a transition hallway, and a bathroom — all outfitted with modern, easy-to-sanitize materials and warm colors to create an atmosphere of peace and trust.

The space will be equipped with child-friendly furniture, a multifunctional examination table, a specialized chair for sample collection, privacy blinds, and LED lighting systems with optimal intensity for added comfort.

Setting up this office means more than creating a suitable and functional space — it represents a firm commitment to respecting the dignity of children and proves that the system can change. It is a much-needed beginning so that every child in Romania who comes into contact with the forensic system is met not only with procedures, but with empathy.

If you want to talk about sexual violence with a professional ready to help, send an email to: help@asistentavictime.ro