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FRIENDS-INTERNATIONAL
BENEFICIARY
PROTECTION
POLICY
NOVEMBER 2019
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NOITCUDORTNI This document aims at
providing guidelines and
procedures to protect all
people in contact with
Friends-International
services.
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Benefi ciaries are the children, youth and adults that AA
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the teams are working with or that are in contact with
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the Friends-International services, including (but not
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exclusively): TT
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A Children, YoutEEh and Adults the teams
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meet during their outreach activities
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(including mobile buses, mobile teams,
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pr--isons, other centers, etc.);
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Children and Youth coming to the
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B Friends-International services (including:
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drop-in centers, Transitional Homes,
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remedial schools, support classes,
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vocational training, Futures, Futures
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GGGGG Factory, etc.)
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Friends-International is a Child Protection organization,
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it is therefore important to have a clear, stand-alone
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Child Protection Policy / Child Safeguarding Policy (The
Friends ChildSafe Protection Policy) but complement it
with an adult specifi c document.
This Benefi ciary Protection Policy is therefore divided
into 2:
A The Friends ChildSafe Protection Policy;
B The Benefi ciary Protection Policy.
FRIENDS-INTERNATIONAL
BENEFICIARY
PROTECTION
POLICY
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Protecting Children in contact with O
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Friends-International services from aAll forms
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of abuse R
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According to Article 19 of the Convention on th-e Rights of the Child, children should
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be protected from all forms of physical oDr mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or
negligent treatment, maltreatment oNr exploitation, including sexual abuse.
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PREAMBULE:
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Friends-InIternational (FI) as a child In addition, as Friends-Internationals
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protection organization is committed to benefi ciaries include children, youth and
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Pchild protection and aims to achieve the their caretakers (adults), it is essential that
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highest level of protection for children. all benefi ciaries be equally protected.
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Friends-Internationals work refl ects the To that end, Friends-International
UN Convention on the Rights of the implements policies and procedures
Child: Stated Parties shall protect the which signifi cantly strengthen
child from all forms of physical or mental benefi ciaries protection within all its
violence, injury or abuse, neglect or programs and projects and among its
negligent treatment, maltreatment or partners projects.
exploitation, including sexual abuse (UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child
(1989), Article 19).
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This ChildSafe Protection Policy covers
ALL benefi ciaries including children, youth,
caretakers and other adults in contact with
the Friends-International services. However,
adult specifi c protection measures are
outlined in a separate document
(Benefi ciary Protection Policy)
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A THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (CRC): O
The CRC is the key guiding document for Child Protection atI Friends-
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International. This ChildSafe Protection Policy directly Arefers to the CRC
and clarifi cations will be drawn from that text. N
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B NATIONAL LAWS:
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Friends-International abides to all reNlevant local laws that protect and
uphold the rights of children in theI country of operations. These laws
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will correct and complement the ChildSafe Protection Policy at local
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level and as needed. However, since a signatory country has to abide
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by the CRC in theEir laws, the CRC will take precedence when issues
arise (except in Ithe USA, non-signatory)
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C INTETRNATIONAL STANDARDS:
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Friends-International will always strive to follow and be attuned to
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International Standards in Child Protection and ensure that the policies
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all times.
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C D FRIENDS-INTERNATIONAL CORE VALUES:
All children are human beings, who are the subject and receivers of
human rights that Friends-International will respect at all times;
All children have equal rights to protection from all forms of abuse
and exploitation regardless of their gender, race, health situation,
religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, social background or culture;
All child abuse involves the abuse of childrens rights;
Child abuse is never acceptable;
All children should be encouraged to fulfi ll their potential and
inequalities should be challenged;
Everybody has a responsibility to support the care and protection of
children;
We have a duty of care to the children with whom we work and with
whom our representatives work;
When we work through partners they have a responsibility to meet
minimum standards of protection for the children in their programs.
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1 THE FRIENDS-INTERNATIONALS
CHILDSAFE PROTECTION POLICY
Friends-Internationals ChildSafe Protection Policy is based on the UN Convention
on the Rights of the Child. It is a policy established throughout Friends-International
Programs to effectively keep children safe. It is a fundamental component of our work
which sets out the systems and processes we are committed to, in order to effectively
keep children safe. It makes clear to everyone involved with Friends-International
that children must be protected; it helps to create a safe and positive environment
for children, and demonstrates the commitment of Friends-International to its duty of
care.
The Friends-International Child Protection policy provides a framework of principles,
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standards and guidelines on which to base individual and organizational practices to A
become aware of, prevent and respond to risks and abuse. N
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Friends-International is committed to ensuring that a full ChildSafe Protection System
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is operational throughout the organization which informs the organizatioTns programs.
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2 BENEFICIARIES
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The term Child/Children refers to the whole target group of Friends-International:
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children and youth from 0 to 24 years old (and beyond if still in care).
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The term Benefi ciary refers to a person rDeceiving services from Friends-International
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and encompasses our wider target group to include: Parents, Siblings and Caretakers
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who may be either a direct or indirect benefi ciary as well as all other actors involved in
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our work (ChildSafe Agents and others).
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This policy relates to all Benefi ciaries Friends-International work with, including.
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IA Children and youth in contact with our services, including (but not
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exclusive to) children/youth met during: outreach, drop-in centers,
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P youth centers, detoxifi cation centers, transitional homes, group homes,
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foster care, training centers, educational centers, etc.
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B Children of Friends-International staff, including (but not exclusive to)
children/youth coming with their parents to work
C Children and youth in the communities where Friends-International
operates, including (but not exclusive to): children/youth in and around
offi ces and other centers operated by Friends-International, children/
youth met during external events
D Children and youth as customers, including (but not exclusive to):
children/youth coming to use vocational training businesses services,
children/youth coming to join ChildSafe Experiences, children/youth
coming to public spaces operated by Friends-International
Other benefi ciaries, including (but not exclusive to) parents, caretakers,
siblings, ChildSafe Agents, youth/adult volunteers, students
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3 DFINITION AND TYPES OF RISK/ABUSES
Friends-International adopts the World Health Organization defi nition: Child abuse or
maltreatment constitutes all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual
abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting
in actual or potential harm to the childs health, survival, development or dignity in the
context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.
These may include:
A Physical violence: Physical abuse occurs when a person, adult or child,
purposefully injures or threatens to injure a child or a young person.
This may take the form of but is not limited to slapping, punching, L
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shaking, burning, shoving, grabbing and bullying. The injury may take
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the form of bruises, cuts, burns, fractures etc.
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B Sexual abuse: the inducement or coercion of a child to A take part in
sexual activities that he or she does not fully undeNrstand and has little
choice in consenting to. R
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C Sexual abuse also consists of any se N xual activity with a person under
the age of 18, regardless of whethIer physical injuries are sustained:
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an underage child cannot legaSlly give informed consent. It may also
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include involving children in looking at or producing sexual images,
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watching sexual activities and encouraging children to behave in
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sexually inapproIpriate ways.
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D SexuTal e xploitation: a form of sexual abuse that involves children being
Hengaged in any sexual activity in exchange for money, gifts, food,
Gaccommodation, affection, status, or anything else that they or their
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O E Neglect or negligent treatment:
C allowing for context, resources and circumstances, the failure to meet
a childs basic physical and /or psychological needs, protect them from
danger, or obtain medical and other services, which is likely to result
in serious impairment of a childs healthy physical, spiritual, moral and
mental development. This includes (but not exclusive to):
-Physical needs, such as adequate nutrition, personal hygiene, shelter
and appropriate supervision
-Medical needs, such as general and mental health care
-Emotional needs, such as opportunities for mental development and
emotional nurture
-Educational needs, such as schooling and access to educational
resources
F Emotional abuse: emotional maltreatment that impacts on a childs
emotional development, and any chronic attack on a childs or a young
persons self-esteem, such as: bullying, bad name calling, constant
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criticism, belittling, persistent shaming, threatening, ridiculing,
intimidating solitary confi nement and isolation.
G Commercial exploitation: exploiting a child in work or other activities
for the benefi t of others and to the detriment of the childs physical or
mental health, education, moral or social-emotional development.
H Financial/legal abuse: Financial or legal transactions (including loans,
signing of any legal document without proper counsel) to which a child/
youth does not or cannot validly consent, or which are exploitative.
I Material abuse: includes theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in
connection with property and/or inheritance.
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4 SCOPE
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This Policy and Procedure covers all activities associated with FrieNnds-International
activities and services and is applicable to the professional anRd personal lives of all the
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persons in the scope of this document, including:
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A Staff of Friends-InteIrnational
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B Board N Members of Friends-International
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CR LIong-term and short-term Volunteers involved in the
Fwork and activities of Friends-International
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D Consultants and Contractors working for Friends-
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International or donors/partners of Friends-International
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E Visitors to Friends-International services
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C F Parents and caretakers involved in activities, training at
Friends-International
G External partners and consultants collaborating with
Friends-International
H ChildSafe Agents operating in collaboration with
Friends-International
This is not an exclusive list. The principle is that all adults involved with Friends-
International should avoid actions, behaviors, or suspicions that are seen as poor
practice or potentially abusive and should support childrens active and meaningful
empowerment and participation.
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5 MEANS OF CHILDSAFE PROTECTION
At Friends-International, we meet our commitment to protect children from abuse
through the following means:
A Awareness: we ensure that all staff, board members, volunteers,
partners and children are aware of the problems of child abuse and the
risks to children;
B Prevention: we ensure, through awareness, training, guidelines and
good practice, that staff, board members, volunteers, partners and
children minimize the risks to children;
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C Risk assessment: we identify risks of harm and abuse to children withinA
all services and activities of Friends-International, and implement N
protective measures across all our programs on a regular basis Oto
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ensure the risks are known and mitigated; T
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D Reporting: we ensure that staff, board members, volunteers, partners
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and children are clear on the steps to take when concerns arise
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regarding the safety of children; T
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E Responding: we ensure that acti-on is taken to support and protect
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children where concerns aDrise regarding possible abuse. This process is
to be fair and transpaNrent;
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F ParticipationR: we ensure that children are actively involved in creating
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a safe environment and we take seriously their views, wishes and
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concerns in all matters regarding their safety and protection.
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6 PCOMPONENTS AND PROCESS
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Friends-International has 7 key elements for its ChildSafe Protection Policy
1 Personnel recruitment
2 Education and training
3 Management structure
4 Behavior protocols
5 External communication
6 Reporting and reaction process
7 Ramifi cations of misconduct
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6.1 PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT
A REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT
We are committed to ensuring that all personnel who have direct or
indirect contact with children through the work of Friends-International,
that is to say all employees, contractors, trustees, offi cers, interns and
volunteers, whether paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, temporary
or long-term, must undergo a thorough and standardized recruitment
process.
B GUIDELINES ON RECRUITMENT
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Advertisement of vacancies and application forms A
To deter child abusers and individuals seeking out organizations N
with weak protection procedures from applying and to commuOnicate
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Friends-Internationals strong engagement for and transpTarency
about child protection issues, all advertisements for joAb vacancies and
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application forms must make reference to the child protection policy
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and screening process on both the job advertisements (paper, online)
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and on the application forms. T
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Interviews of candidates -
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Job interviews are the fi rsDt test for child protection safeguards.
To ensure that every Nrecruitment opportunity is used to explore
candidates suitabEility for a post in relation to child protection issues
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and to ensurRe that all candidates are judged on the basis of equal
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opportunity, Friends-International has a standardized interview process
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in place. One member of the recruitment panel must be trained in and
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be familiar with issues of child protection to be able to ask pertinent
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child protection related questions and to look out for warning signs of
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potential risk to children.
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In addition to assessing applicants according to pre-determined specifi c
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essential and desirable skills, the interview is as an opportunity to:
assess candidates history in relation to child
protection, including:
to fi nd out whether there have been previous child
protection concerns relating to when the candidate was
working for other organizations and whether this might
have led to dismissal or frequent changes in jobs;
to explore whether periods of absence from
employment may be due to (e.g.) time in custody, and
suspicious activity. Warning signs include:
gaps in employment history (if the candidate has had a
career working in childrens issues)
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frequent changes of employment or address (if the
candidate has had a career working in childrens issues)
reasons for leaving employment (especially if this
appears sudden)
any duties or accomplishments that come across as
vague in a CV in relation to work with children
prevalence of regular overseas travel to destinations
where child sex tourism occurs
body language and evasion, contradiction and
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discrepancies in answers given A
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Inform about the ChildSafe Protection PoliciesO: to
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dissuade potential abusers from pursuing eTmployment
at Friends-International A
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Assess warning signals during the interview
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C GUIDELINES PRIOR TO DEMPLOYMENT OF NEW PERSONNEL
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Before a candidatEe is fi nally chosen for a job, the following conditions
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have to be fuRlfi lled:
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ChTeck of Character References
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Check of Professional References
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Police reference / self-declaration of criminal convictions
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C Commitment to child protection policy and signing of the code of
conduct
(See Annex 1 for examples of questions and guidelines)
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6.2 EDUCTION AND TRAINING
A REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
All personnel associated with Friends-International need to fully
understand the child protection policy and procedures, to know exactly
what to do as part of their ongoing work and also in the event of an
incident, to know where to get further advice and support. Personnel
must know how to implement policies and procedures and work to the
same high standards. Personnel must feel confi dent and comfortable in
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discussing child protection issues.
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Friends-International will provide enough opportunities for peOrsonnel
to develop and maintain the necessary skills and understandiIng to
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safeguard children. A
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Friends-International will also provide opportunities for children
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themselves to understand the importancTe of child protection. All
children must know best how to proNtect themselves and make use
of the policies and procedures in pIlace (i.e Policies and informative
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posters available and accDessible to children, reporting boxes available
where possible). N
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B GUIDELINFES ON EDUCATION AND TRAINING
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For Personnel:
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There are different types of training / orientation to be carried out:
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Initial / basic awareness raising and training on the
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O organizations child protection policy for new staff and
C associated personnel when they join the organization
(within 8 weeks). New representatives to receive child
protection training as soon as possible (preferably
provided by the child protection offi cer within the fi rst
days after employment)
A ChildSafe training and certifi cation is mandatory
General refresher training for personnel (once/twice a
year) to remind personnel of procedures in place and to
update on any new developments
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For Children:
Children are to be trained to:
Know how to protect themselves;
Know what behavior to expect from personnel and
from each other;
Know the difference between good touch and bad
touch; and
Know when and to whom to speak out to if they feel
uncomfortable or at risk. L
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Therefore, orientation is given to children themselves
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on all relevant aspects of the organizations ChildSafe
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Protection Policy and the Procedures. Children
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Representatives are involved in updNating the training/
orientation session for children tRo ensure that it is easily
understood, appropriate andE useful to other children
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(See Annex 2 for Training Outline)
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6.3 MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
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A REQUIREMENTS FOR MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
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As a ChildSafe organization Friends-International strives to have a clear
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personnel and children feel confi dent and comfortable speaking out
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and implementing ChildSafe Protection safeguards.
The management structure strives to facilitate the implementation of
the child protection policy and procedures both in Friends-International
Management and in Managements of Friends-International Programs
and Projects. The ChildSafe Management structure includes:
A governing Board
An Executive Director
Deputy Directors
International Coordinators
Program Directors
Child Protection Offi cers (CPO)
An International Human Resources Coordinator
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B GUIDELINES ON MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
Supportive environment: Management will encourage personnel
to actively participate in the protection of children, by fostering and
promote open lines of communication, an atmosphere of support and
encouragement for reporting and a positive environment for giving and
receiving feedback.
Values: Management must refl ect core values and principles,
uphold a professional approach and demonstrate awareness of abuse.
Management must demonstrate leadership in this area and act as role
models.
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Supervision and support: Ongoing supervision, monitoring and A
support is provided for all personnel to ensure that child protectionN
policies and procedures are understood and being implementeOd and
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that any problems or queries are dealt with as soon as theTy arise.
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Staff evaluation: Child Protection issues are included in regular,
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formal staff evaluations. This helps to assess existing knowledge and
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to identify further training needs on an iTndividual basis. This also helps
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to provide an opportunity for personnel to input into suggestions for
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improvement and to feed into o-verall organizational monitoring of the
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child protection policy. D
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Internal/externEal organizational evaluations: Child Protection
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issues are incRorporated into regular internal and external program and
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organizational evaluations/ assessments.
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Child Protection Offi cers (CPO): Management will designate
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ideally 2 persons per Program, ideally 1 male and 1 female as CPOs
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to implement child protection policies and procedures to ensure that
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promoted to all staff.
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Standardized Reporting Procedure: Friends-International has a
written procedure on what to do if a member of personnel is concerned
about, witnesses, hears or suspects potential child abuse. This written
procedure is to be kept up to date and clearly displayed in the
organization for easy reference.
(see Annex 3 for the Reporting Procedure)
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6.4 CODE OF CONDUCT
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CHILDSAFE CODE OF CONDUCT
Friends-International has and regularly reviews a set of guidelines for
behavior (Code of Conduct) for all employees, contractors, trustees,
interns, volunteers and visitors detailing appropriate and inappropriate
behavior with children and benefi ciaries.
This Code of Conduct clarifi es what constitutes appropriate and
inappropriate behavior towards children/ benefi ciaries and ensures
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that all personnel understand and abide by behaviors which create a A
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ChildSafe environment that respects childrens physical and mental
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integrity. This is also to avoid potential misunderstandings which
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may lead to false allegations of child abuse or misconductT with other
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benefi ciaries.
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Behavior guidelines also allow children/benEefi ciaries to know what
behavior to expect from personnel and Tto know the limitations of
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personnel authority, reducing the risk of other forms of abuse.
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The Code of Conduct encDourages personnel to interpret the Code
in a spirit of transparNency and common sense, with the best interests
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of the child as the primary consideration and that of all benefi ciaries
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connected toR Friends-International. The Code of Conduct acts as a
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constant reminder and is a point of easy reference in times of doubt
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and emergency. Personnel Representatives must promote copies of the
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Code in all situations where the organization is responsible for bringing
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I children into contact with adults, including outside of the program
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or project environment, such as in workshops, conferences or other
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(See Annex 4 for the Code of Conduct and related documents)
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6.5 EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION
Within its fundraising and publicity materials, Friends-International is sometimes
required to use text and imagery from its projects around the world. In so doing, it
recognizes that it has a responsibility to the children who are portrayed.
Friends-International has a set of guidelines (Media Guidelines and External
Communication Guidelines) to control confi dential information regarding children
and to prevent the presentation of degrading images of children through the
organizations publications, social media and website.
These Guidelines aim to clarify what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate use
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of written, visual and verbal information relating to children and to ensure that all
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personnel understand the importance of protecting and respecting childrens dignNity
and privacy and which safeguards them from being identifi ed by those who mOay wish
to harm them. I
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External Communication guidelines also allow children to know what rights they
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have regarding the use of information that relates to them, to introduce them to the
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concept of informed consent regarding such informatTion and when to speak out if
they feel uncomfortable. N
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In addition to guidelines for personnel, FDriends-International also has a set of
guidelines for individuals, researcheNrs, organizations or representatives of media that
either request the use of FriendsE-International resources (e.g. photos, case studies)
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or want to make any reportRs/interviews/fi lms/photographs by themselves. They are
required to sign the MedFia Guidelines agreement with the organization that clarify
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how the images are to be taken and the proper use of such materials.
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Y GUIDELINES ON EXTERNAL INFORMATION ABOUT CHILDREN
P AND BENEFICIARIES
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The Guidelines cover the following:
Representation: Every child has a right to be accurately represented
through both words and imagery. The organizations portrayal of each
child must not be manipulated or sensationalized in any way and must
be presented as human beings with their own identity and dignity
preserved.
To be avoided: Friends-International will avoid the following:
- Language and images that could possibly degrade or
victimize or shame children;
- Making generalizations which do not accurately
refl ect the nature of the situation;
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- Discrimination of any kind;
- Presenting pictures out of context (e.g. pictures
should be accompanied by an explanatory caption where
possible and should be relevant to any accompanying
text);
- Unnecessarily focus on the story of one individual;
- Identify the name and/or location of a benefi ciary;
- Use images or language that could reinforce
the benefi ciarys sense / feeling of vulnerability /
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marginalization. A
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Dignity: The preservation of the childs dignity must be Tpreserved at
all times. A
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Nudity: In images, children must not be depicted unclothed or in any
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poses that could be interpreted as sexuTally provocative.
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Identity: Personal and physica-l information that could be used to
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identify the location of a Dchild within a country and cause them to be
put at risk will not beN used on the organizations website, social media
or in any other forEm of external communication. Where it is necessary
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to use case sRtudies to highlight the work of Friends-International,
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names of children will be changed and images will not have a direct
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correlation with the content of the text or not allow the identifi cation of
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the child (group shots).
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Consent: To the greatest extent possible, the organization will
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P acquire informed consent/the permission of the child, childs guardian
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and/or NGO responsible for the child, before using any image for
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publicity, fundraising, awareness raising or other purpose. The purpose
should be made clear to the consent giver. Friends-International will
make an ethical judgment before making such a request.
Permission: Even with consent, permission will always be sought from
the child/children themselves before taking photographs, except under
exceptional circumstances, based on the child/childrens best interests,
where this may not be possible or desirable.
Self-Promotion: As far as possible, people (including children) must
be able to give their own accounts, rather than have people speak on
their behalf. Peoples (including childrens) ability to take responsibility
and action for themselves must be highlighted.
Data-base: Use of video and pictures of children in the Friends-
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International photo data-base will be regulated in accordance with
local and international laws, the Friends-International Code of Conduct,
Communications guidelines and our internal 7 Tips for Communications
to protect the identity, rights an