Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy
You can find below our Safeguarding policy, but a policy is worthless unless people speak out when they have concerns. If you have any concerns, be brave and share them with someone. Together we can make a difference.
If you, or someone you know, has concerns about the safety or welfare of any individual connected with Love Into Action, please tell someone. If safe to do so, please contact a member of the Love Into Action team who you trust, send us an email to: office@loveintoaction.org, or contact the local authorities where you are based.
1. PREAMBLE
1.1. This Safeguarding Policy covers all vulnerable populations, especially women and children, in one integrated policy. This Policy emphasises the unique vulnerabilities and special protection requirements for our beneficiaries, along with the importance of preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), in particular, among other forms of abuse.
1.2. Safeguarding children, vulnerable adults and the beneficiaries we serve is foundational to all LIA activities, programmes, and ministry. Central to everything we do is our commitment to first do no harm to them, to respect their rights, and to uphold the best interests1 of them as a primary consideration in all actions and decisions.
1.3. LIA has zero tolerance towards incidents of violence or abuse against children, vulnerable adults and our beneficiaries, including sexual exploitation or abuse, committed either by employees or others affiliated with our work. LIA takes necessary actions to respond to any suspected or known instances of abuse. Incident responses are centred on the survivor, prioritising their interests.
1.4. LIA is committed to continuous improvement of safeguarding efforts which emphasises prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and other forms of violence or harm. We abhor any misuse of power, status, or trusted position for any sexual or other exploitative purposes. We endeavour to tackle this root cause of abuse in our prevention and training efforts.
2. SCOPE
2.1. This Policy is focussed on protecting all children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries from harm caused by LIA employees and affiliates.
3. SAFEGUARDING POLICY AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1. Development of Contextualised Safeguarding Policies: Field Offices and Support Offices are responsible for ensuring the development, implementation and periodic review of contextualised safeguarding policies, which are to be consistent with the standards outlined in this document and in accordance with local laws (and which could consist of simply deciding to utilise this Policy as their applicable policy on safeguarding). Offices may set more strict requirements in their national Safeguarding Policy, as required by national law or context. In cases where safeguarding policies from multiple offices apply, the most stringent policy is followed.
3.2. Relevant LIA People and Affiliates: LIA equips all employees, interns, volunteers, and Board/Advisory Council members to understand and perform their safeguarding responsibilities and obligations. LIA also applies appropriate standards to external parties, including visitors, community volunteers, contractors, partners, and others affiliated with partners or contractors, to address safeguarding risks relating to their engagement with LIA’s work. Hereafter, the full range of people for whom all or some of this Policy is relevant (either directly or through contractual arrangements) will be referred to as ‘LIA employees and/or affiliates’.
3.3. Awareness: All LIA employees, volunteers, interns, and Board/Advisory Council members sign an acknowledgement that they know, understand and will follow this Safeguarding Policy or local Safeguarding Policy. Signed agreements are kept on file by the relevant office.
3.4. Agreements with Contractors: Contractors engaged in situations where they - or their employees or subcontractors—may have access to children or adult beneficiaries in LIA programmes, or may have access to personal data about such children or adult beneficiaries, require the safeguarding language below (or language substantively the same) in their contract with LIA. In addition, a copy of the Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols must be attached to the contract. These requirements apply whether the Contractor is being paid for the services, or is providing them for free (‘pro bono’), and is irrespective of the duration of the contract.
3.5. In the course of performing this contract, Contractor and Contractor’s employees will ensure that:
3.5.1. Any of their interactions with children or with adult beneficiaries, or with personal data about such persons, will comply with the attached LIA Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols, and with any other reasonable safeguarding measures that LIA may specify;
3.5.2. Any incidents of harm or risk of harm to children or to adult beneficiaries will be reported immediately to LIA;
3.5.3. Any individuals with access to children or adult beneficiaries, or to personal data about such persons, will have a current clean criminal background check for offenses against children or abuse of adults, to the extent permitted by law (evidence of which will be provided to LIA upon request); and
3.5.4. These safeguarding obligations will be clearly communicated to, and acknowledged by, all employees who may have access to children or to adult beneficiaries, or to personal data about such persons, and will be extended in identical form to any subcontractors (if any are authorised) engaged to perform this contract or programme activity. The agreement (whether referred to as an ‘agreement’, ‘subgrant’, ‘Memorandum Of Understanding’, or any other term), specifies that before the Partner begins any work on the project, the Partner’s safeguarding policy and procedures must be provided to LIA and approved by LIA as appropriate for the programme at issue. Alternatively, the Partner can agree to follow LIA’s local Safeguarding Policy in carrying out the programme activities. The agreement must ensure that any of the Partner’s personnel working in the LIA project will have a current clean criminal background check for offenses against children or abuse of adults, to the extent permitted by law (evidence of which will be provided to LIA upon request).
3.6. Training: All LIA employees, volunteers, interns, and Board/Advisory Council members, as well as partner employees or partner volunteers working within a LIA project, receive safeguarding training at the start of employment or LIA affiliation. LIA employees and volunteers receive periodic refresher or other safeguarding training at least once every two years thereafter.
3.7. Safeguarding Staffing: Every LIA Field Office, Support Office, and Regional Office appoints a Safeguarding Lead to provide leadership to the implementation of this Policy. The Lead has a mandate for direct access to the National Director, and to the LIA Safeguarding Director, should he / she feel that safeguarding issues are not being addressed adequately.
4. BEHAVIOUR PROTOCOLS
4.1. Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols: LIA employees and affiliates behave in ways that protect children and adult beneficiaries, prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, and prevent any other intentional or unintentional harm to the people LIA serves or works amongst. Rules of behaviour are based on local and culturally appropriate interactions (provided these meet or exceed the minimum protocols below) with children, members of the opposite sex, and other vulnerable adults, and are included in each contextualised Safeguarding Policy. All LIA employees and affiliates abide by these protocols in their activities with LIA, for all children anywhere and for all adult beneficiaries (see Definitions).
4.2. Acceptable Behaviour – LIA employees and affiliates:
4.2.1. create and maintain an environment which prevents sexual exploitation and abuse of children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries and promotes the implementation of these Behaviour Protocols;
4.2.2. are careful about perception and appearance in their language, actions and relationships with children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries. Their behaviour - including in person and on digital platforms, both online and offline - demonstrates a respect for children, vulnerable adults, beneficiaries and their rights;
4.2.3. ensure that all physical and online contact with children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries is appropriate in the local culture;
4.2.4. use positive, non-violent methods to manage the behaviour of children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries;
4.2.5. accept responsibility for personal behaviour and actions as a representative of the organisation;
4.2.6. are always accountable for their response to the behaviour of children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries, even if they behave in a sexually inappropriate manner; adults avoid being placed in a compromising or vulnerable position with children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries;
4.2.7. where possible and practical, follow the ‘two-adult’ rule while conducting LIA work, wherein two or more adults supervise all activities that involve children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries, and are visible and present at all times;
4.2.8. comply with safeguarding related investigations (internal and external) and make available any documentary or other information necessary for the completion of the investigation.
4.2.9. comply with applicable data privacy laws and with relevant LIA data privacy and information security policies, including LIA digital safeguarding protocols, when handling any personal data about individual children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries, noting in general that collecting or using such data must be limited to the minimum necessary, and that such data must be maintained and transferred in a secure, confidential manner;
4.2.10. immediately report through established reporting mechanisms any known or suspected safeguarding incident or breach of this Policy by a LIA employee or affiliate, or a humanitarian aid worker2 from any other agency (See Section 8.5 on how to report.).
4.3. Unacceptable Behaviour - LIA employees and affiliates do not:
4.3.1. behave in an inappropriate physical manner, or develop a sexual relationship with a child (under 18 years old), regardless of the country specific legal age of consent or age of majority. This also includes consenting or condoning the above behaviour (including facilitating or condoning child marriage (under 18 years old));
4.3.2. develop or seek a sexual relationship with any vulnerable adult or beneficiary of any age; such relationships are not acceptable and will not be tolerated since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics. Such relationships undermine the credibility and integrity of LIA's humanitarian aid and development work;
4.3.3. sexually exploit or abuse any child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary; such behaviour constitutes an act of gross misconduct;
4.3.4. exchange money, employment, goods, or services for sex (including sexual favours, other forms of humiliating, degrading, or exploitative behaviour, or hiring sex workers) or other exploitative demands is strictly prohibited. This includes exchange of assistance that is already due to beneficiaries;
4.3.5. fondle, hold, kiss, hug or touch children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries in an inappropriate or culturally insensitive way;
4.3.6. use language, make suggestions or offer advice to a child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary which is inappropriate or abusive, including language that causes shame or humiliation, or is belittling or degrading;
4.3.7. spend excessive or unnecessary time alone with a child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary, away from others or behind closed doors or in a secluded area;
4.3.8. condone or participate in behaviour with children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries which is illegal, unsafe or abusive; including harmful traditional practices, spiritual or ritualistic abuse;
4.3.9. hire children in any form of child labour (including as “house help”) unless it is within the best interest of the child and in alignment with local law and international standards (‘Child labour’ is work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children, or that interferes with their schooling. ‘Child work’ in contrast may be beneficial if permitted by International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and puts the child’s interests ahead of any benefits gained by adults3.);
4.3.10. hit or use other corporal punishment against a child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary while they are in LIA care or the LIA employee or affiliate is conducting LIA work;4
4.3.11. take a child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary alone in a vehicle for LIA work, unless it is absolutely necessary, and with parental / guardian and managerial consent;
4.3.12. misuse or be careless with personal data about individual children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries;
4.3.13. communicate with a child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary in LIA's program areas via digital platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter), via mobile technology (e.g. texting, Whatsapp, Skype), or online without consent and knowledge of his / her parents. Further, LIA employees or affiliates never communicate on mobile, digital or online platforms with children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries in ways that are inappropriate or sexual;
4.3.14. stay silent, cover up, or enable any known or suspected safeguarding incident or breach of Safeguarding Policy by a LIA employee or affiliate.
4.4. Any LIA affiliate not required to sign the full Safeguarding Policy or local Safeguarding Policy (See Section 3.3) must at minimum acknowledge in writing the receipt and understanding of these Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols.
4.5. Disciplinary Action: Failure to follow LIA Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols, failure to follow any other part of the LIA Safeguarding Policy, other inappropriate behaviour toward children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries, or failing to report a known or suspected safeguarding incident committed by a LIA employee or affiliate, is grounds for discipline, up to and including termination of the employment or other affiliation with LIA.
5. RECRUITMENT
5.1. Screening: LIA takes diligent measures to screen out all people who might seek to use LIA to harm children or adult beneficiaries, or whose past actions indicate an unacceptable risk of such harm. These measures include addressing safeguarding in job advertisements (when feasible), applications, interviews and references. Safeguarding screening measures are applied to all candidates for employment, Board/Advisory Council members, volunteers, interns and individual contractors who will have access to children or adult beneficiaries or to their personal data. During the interview process, applicants are asked about previous work with children and vulnerable adults. For references supplied by applicants, questions are asked regarding the suitability of the candidate to work with vulnerable adults and children or for a similarly focused agency. Documentation of references is kept on file.
5.1.1. Note that major grant donors may have specific screening requirements for work they fund, so relevant grant terms and regulations should be checked.
5.2. Identity and Background Checks: Candidates for employment, Board/Advisory Council members, volunteers, and interns - as well as relevant personnel of contractors and partners - have an identification check and an appropriate criminal record / police background check, to the extent permitted by law, prior to employment or engagement with LIA, and periodically thereafter as required by law or appropriate for the context. Formal exemption approval is required for alternatives to police background checks in contexts where they are not feasible or trustworthy or lawful. People with a prior conviction for any crime against children or sexual exploitation or abuse against an adult are not hired or engaged by LIA, to the extent permitted by applicable law, and in any case will not be placed in a position with access to children or adult beneficiaries, or to their personal data.
6. VISITS TO LIA PROJECTS
6.1. Visitors: Visitors subject to this Policy include people going to a LIA field programme or meeting with a LIA beneficiary child(ren). This includes sponsors, donors, and other delegations from Support Offices such as bloggers, celebrity supporters, or journalists invited by LIA. Government officials or institutional donors (government, multilateral) based in the hosting country do NOT require Safeguarding clearance, but are accompanied by a LIA employee(s)
6.2. Visitor Orientation to Safeguarding: Each LIA entity is diligent to ensure that visitors uphold the relevant sections of this Policy. The following requirements apply to visitors who visit a project or have direct contact with community members in LIA programming areas.
6.2.1. Visitors from other LIA offices who are employees or Board Members: The hosting office provides a brief orientation to any distinctive Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols that apply in that context, as well as local customs regarding adult interaction with children.
6.2.2. Visitors who are not LIA employees or Board Members: All such visitors are briefed on LIA’s Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols (Section 4.1) and Prevention of Harm in Communications (Section 7.4) and sign acknowledgement of receipt of the protocols. The signed acknowledgement is kept on file by the hosting entity. Non-employee or Board visitors are accompanied by a LIA employee when visiting projects.
7. COMMUNICATIONS, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
7.1. Dignity: LIA takes care to ensure local traditions or restrictions for reproducing personal images are adhered to before photographing or filming a subject, and LIA ensures images are honest representations of the context and the facts. In all forms of communication, children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries are treated and portrayed with dignity and not as helpless victims or in sexually suggestive poses.
7.2. Consent: Children or adult beneficiaries who are primary subjects of text, photo and/or video resources gathered by LIA employees must provide informed consent. Informed consent means the subject has a general understanding of the purpose of the reporting or photography, and gives verbal or written permission thereof. If the primary subject is a child, written consent is also collected from the parent, guardian, or other legally required entity or individual.
7.3. In the following situations, written consent is collected from the child (as appropriate for age) or adult beneficiary:
7.3.1. a child / adult beneficiary could be personally identified or
7.3.2. the sensitive nature of their personal disclosure or situation could possibly cause damage to their privacy, dignity, safety or reputation, or
7.3.3. where otherwise required by applicable law.
7.4. Prevention of Harm in Communications: LIA is committed to storytelling that raises awareness of and promotes solutions to ending violence and abuse against children and adult beneficiaries. LIA takes the following steps to prevent harm through communications, social media and digital technology (including photographs / videos / audio clips, stories, articles, or any other communication materials):
7.4.1. Personal child and adult beneficiary information that is captured, stored or sent through electronic, on-line or mobile devices is password protected. In addition, data is handled in accordance with LIA’s current information security standards for personal data, which may include encryption and other requirements.
7.4.2. Wherever possible, measures are taken to prevent electronic copying of photographs without LIA permission (utilising digital water-marking and right-click disable functions in accordance with the LIA Partnership Minimum Standards for Internet Presence).
7.4.3. Material posted on social medial or digital technology does not contain a beneficiary’s family name or personal location/address.
7.4.4. Material with a beneficiary is not geo-tagged to precise locations if it contains any part of the child’s name. An acceptable alternative is to retag photos with the beneficiary’s first name only to the Area Programme or project office location.
7.4.5. LIA discourages direct, unfacilitated, undocumented communication through social media without LIA’s knowledge between: a sponsor / donor / visitor and beneficiary nor between employees / volunteers / other LIA affiliates and beneficiaries.
7.4.6. LIA provides reporting and response options so that sponsors, donors, visitors, beneficiaries or their caregivers can report any incident(s) where either party feels uncomfortable or threatened.
7.4.7. Sponsorship welcome kits, LIA websites, domains and social media platform profile pages contain reporting options for safeguarding concerns or incidents.
7.5. Reporting Communications, Social Media and Digital Technology Policy Violations: All violations of this policy should be reported to the national Safeguarding Lead or LIA Safeguarding Director. Responses are based on the magnitude of risk and its severity to children or adult beneficiaries.
8. SAFEGUARDING INCIDENTS AND RESPONSE PROTOCOLS
8.1. Responding to Safeguarding Incidents: LIA Entities are required to investigate and respond to reports of child or adult beneficiary abuse in LIA programmes in ways which are consistent with local law. LIA uses three levels of Safeguarding Incidents to determine LIA’s response, which is based on the seriousness of the incident and LIA’s role.
8.2. Level 1 Child Protection Community Incidents: Abuse of or harm to a child, in a community where LIA has programme operations and that is not committed by LIA employees or affiliates, is a Level 1 Incident. Field offices report Level 1 Incidents to the local LIA Safeguarding Lead in cases of serious harm that threaten the child victim’s survival, safety or development. Field Offices and Support Offices with domestic programming include in their Safeguarding Incident Preparedness Plans specific and practical guidance on responsibilities, actions and limits which are consistent with local law, for local team responses to Level 1 incidents.
8.3. Level 2 Safeguarding Incidents: Level 2 Incidents are defined as any violation of this Policy which puts children or adult beneficiaries in direct risk of potential harm, but where no actual harm is believed to have occurred. LIA Entities report Level 2 Incidents to the local LIA Safeguarding Lead within 24 hours of first notice. Response is implemented by the national entity with oversight by and accountability to the LIA Safeguarding Director.
8.4. Level 3 Safeguarding Incidents: A Level 3 Incident is an allegation or accusation of harm or abuse to a child or adult beneficiary by a LIA employee or affiliate. Two additional types of incidents qualify: death or serious injury of a beneficiary while participating in or at a LIA activity or caused directly by a LIA-related person, and/or a road traffic accident involving a LIA vehicle or driver affiliated with LIA in which a child or vulnerable adult is injured or killed. LIA Entities report actual or alleged Level 3 Incidents to the local LIA Safeguarding Lead within 24 hours of first notice. Response is implemented by the national entity with oversight by and accountability to the LIA Safeguarding Director.
8.5. Reporting: All LIA employees and affiliates are responsible and obligated to report any suspicions of child or adult beneficiary abuse (or other safeguarding concerns, including any violations of this Policy) that is connected to LIA or its programmes.
In addition, any credible concern or suspicion of sexual abuse or exploitation by a humanitarian worker outside LIA is immediately reported.
8.5.1. Reports can be made by LIA employees or affiliates in the following ways:
8.5.1.1. Contact local LIA Safeguarding Lead (who then reports to LIA Safeguarding Director)
8.5.1.2. Contact LIA Safeguarding Director
8.5.1.3. If confidentiality required / preferred, or if the above options are not available for whatever reason: Contact the Chair of the Board of Trustees
8.6. Disclosure: Whilst LIA maintains appropriate confidentiality for individuals in Safeguarding Incidents, LIA may disclose information about incidents, when lawfully permitted, in order to support prosecution of suspected criminal activity, meet donor and regulatory requirements, support learning and accountability, advocate to prevent future incidents, or as required by law.
Information in ongoing investigations of Safeguarding Incidents, and information about past incidents, is shared only with those on a ‘need-to-know’ basis, as deemed necessary by the national office or LIA Safeguarding Director. If it is likely that sensitive information about survivors or about violence against children or adults will not be kept confidential, and would put people at risk if accessed by unauthorised parties, such information is not collected.
Detailed personal information, in particular health information, is not obtained or maintained by LIA, except for the minimum necessary to ensure LIA handles the matter appropriately. Such personal data is kept strictly confidential and protected in accordance with the applicable data protection and informational security standards.
8.7. Reporting to Authorities: LIA Entities shall evaluate reporting safeguarding violations to appropriate legal authorities, assessing any legal obligations to report, as well as the interests of the survivor(s). Reports are made, unless a report is judged likely to cause greater harm to existing victims or potential future victims. Such a decision must be approved in writing by the LIA Safeguarding Director.
9. PROGRAMMING CONSIDERATIONS FOR SAFEGUARDING
9.1. Safeguarding Essentials in Programming: In all programmes of ministry, LIA seeks to do no harm to children or adult beneficiaries, to keep the interests of community members - especially vulnerable individuals - at the centre of our activities, and to utilise opportunities to help children be safer within their families and communities. This includes consideration during programme design of local safeguarding protection threats and issues, and influencing local actors and groups to be safer organisations for children and adult beneficiaries.
9.2. Community Feedback and Complaints Mechanisms: Beneficiaries, parents / carers, and other adults are aware of established complaint mechanisms in LIA projects and their right to be safe from abuse and exploitation in LIA programmes. Every community-level LIA programme provides information to parents and carers of beneficiaries on how to share general suggestions as well as report child abuse, sexual exploitation and abuse, or other breaches of Behaviour
Protocols by LIA employees or affiliates.
9.3. Institutionalisation: LIA does not support programming within long term institutions in ways that perpetuate the institutionalisation of children.
10. SAFE PARTICIPATION
10.1. Prevention of Harm in Activities: LIA works to minimise any risk of harm or negative consequence resulting from participation in activities promoted by LIA. Activities are based on context analysis with clearly identified needs and expected results, along with how the project will measure progress towards achievement while mitigating risks through risk assessments.
10.2. Ethics: Activities are designed and implemented to adhere to principles and ethics which keep the best interests of participants as the top priority.
10.3. Informed Consent in Activities: Activities are voluntary and inclusive (especially of the most vulnerable individuals), and parents/caregivers make informed decisions regarding participation, including due consideration of the benefits and risks that could be associated with the activity.
10.4. Travel: When it is in the best interests of participants, LIA sometimes helps participants travel to events, activities or other opportunities. In such cases the parents or caregivers, or other legally required entity or individual, give informed consent prior to the travel. The individual’s health, safety, well-being, and meaningful participation are the most important priorities during travel supported by LIA. LIA does not facilitate visits of children outside of their country to their sponsor.
Definitions
Beneficiary: In regards to safeguarding, LIA uses a broad, working definition of ‘beneficiary’ to include not only direct beneficiaries of a particular project, but also any child or adult who might suffer harm caused by LIA employees or affiliates as part of LIA programme presence5.
Child: Any person below the age of 18. The Safeguarding Policy covers interactions by LIA employees and affiliates with all children anywhere (not only beneficiaries).
Child protection: All measures taken to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation and all other forms of violence against children.
Contractor: LIA sometimes contracts with non-employee individuals and organisations to perform services for LIA. These non-employee individuals and organisations may also be referred to as 'independent contractors', ‘consultants,’ or ‘vendors’, and are referred to in this document as ‘Contractors’. Contractors are distinguished from organisations with which LIA partners to carry out programme activity (including subgrantees). See Partner, below.
Partner: A partner organisation, for safeguarding purposes, is a Non-Governmental Organisation, Community-Based
Organisation, for-profit enterprise, or other entity implementing a programme or activity on LIA’s behalf or in collaboration with LIA, and which has a written agreement with LIA. The partner may or may not receive funding from LIA.
Safeguarding: Preventing, reporting, and responding to harm or abuse of adult beneficiaries and any children by LIA employees and affiliates. Externally to LIA, there is often no distinction made between child and adult safeguarding.
Child safeguarding: Preventing, reporting, and responding to harm6, abuse or exploitation of any child (< age 18) by a LIA employee or affiliate7. The Safeguarding Policy also requires reporting / referring child abuse cases affecting any child in LIA programmes, even if not committed by LIA employees or affiliates.
Adult safeguarding: Preventing, reporting, and responding to harm, abuse or exploitation of an adult beneficiary (age 18+) by a LIA employee or affiliate8. Includes Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), a frequently cited subset of safeguarding.
Safeguarding incident: See Section 8.1.
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA): The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.9
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA): A term used by the United Nations and International Non-Governmental Organisation community to refer to measures taken to protect vulnerable people from sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian aid workers.
Volunteer: A person who is neither employed by LIA nor legally obliged to work for LIA, but who on free will and without expectation of payment or other remuneration, contributes their time, skill, knowledge, efforts and expertise to LIA’s work. ‘Volunteer’ includes a ‘business volunteer’ in a LIA office or affiliate; a ‘supporter volunteer’ without physical contact with sponsored children or their records; ‘community volunteer’ who volunteers on behalf of their community to fulfil the community’s responsibilities in an ongoing LIA project; and volunteers or ‘incentive workers’ from groups or communities targeted for humanitarian assistance. All categories of volunteers are subject to applicable Safeguarding Policy, except community volunteers for whom the following apply:
• The community volunteer does not have physical contact with sponsored children or their records as part of their volunteer activities; AND
• Beyond basic training, LIA does not specify how to complete the relevant activities; AND
• The community does not perceive or consider this person as ‘part of LIA’s work’ due to their volunteer activities, and if they were to harm a child or adult, would not be expected to hold LIA responsible.
LIA employees and affiliates: Refers to the full range of people accountable to LIA’s Safeguarding policies and protocols, including all employees, interns, volunteers, and Board/Advisory Council members, as well as external parties, including visitors, community volunteers, contractors, partners, and others affiliated with partners or contractors.
This policy has been adapted from the World Vision International Safeguarding Policy 2018 with grateful thanks.
1Convention on the Rights of the Child, General Comment 14: http://www2.ohchr.org/English/bodies/crc/docs/GC/CRC_C_GC_14_ENG.pdf
2“Humanitarian aid worker” includes all paid employees, volunteers, contractors, and other affiliates of organisations providing emergency relief or development aid. Such organisations include UN agencies, INGOs, LNGOs, and CBOs.
3See ILO Conventions 182 and 138 and consult local legal counsel to determine appropriate parameters of ‘child work’ in your LIA country office; include these details in your contextualised policy.
4All LIA employees are familiar with alternatives to corporal punishment, including positive parenting approaches, which they are expected to apply with children inside and outside of the workplace or LIA programme areas.
5LIA’s definition recognises the unequal power relationship between a representative of an NGO and vulnerable communities.
6Includes injury or death of anyone while participating in a LIA activity or when involved in a road traffic accident with a LIA driver or LIA vehicle.
7Includes LIA employees, volunteers, interns, Board members, visitors, contractors, or partners - as well as employees or sub-contractors of partners and contractors.
8Ibid.
9UN Secretary-General’s Bulletin on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) (ST/SGB/2003/13)
You can find below our Safeguarding policy, but a policy is worthless unless people speak out when they have concerns. If you have any concerns, be brave and share them with someone. Together we can make a difference.
If you, or someone you know, has concerns about the safety or welfare of any individual connected with Love Into Action, please tell someone. If safe to do so, please contact a member of the Love Into Action team who you trust, send us an email to: office@loveintoaction.org, or contact the local authorities where you are based.
1. PREAMBLE
1.1. This Safeguarding Policy covers all vulnerable populations, especially women and children, in one integrated policy. This Policy emphasises the unique vulnerabilities and special protection requirements for our beneficiaries, along with the importance of preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), in particular, among other forms of abuse.
1.2. Safeguarding children, vulnerable adults and the beneficiaries we serve is foundational to all LIA activities, programmes, and ministry. Central to everything we do is our commitment to first do no harm to them, to respect their rights, and to uphold the best interests1 of them as a primary consideration in all actions and decisions.
1.3. LIA has zero tolerance towards incidents of violence or abuse against children, vulnerable adults and our beneficiaries, including sexual exploitation or abuse, committed either by employees or others affiliated with our work. LIA takes necessary actions to respond to any suspected or known instances of abuse. Incident responses are centred on the survivor, prioritising their interests.
1.4. LIA is committed to continuous improvement of safeguarding efforts which emphasises prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and other forms of violence or harm. We abhor any misuse of power, status, or trusted position for any sexual or other exploitative purposes. We endeavour to tackle this root cause of abuse in our prevention and training efforts.
2. SCOPE
2.1. This Policy is focussed on protecting all children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries from harm caused by LIA employees and affiliates.
3. SAFEGUARDING POLICY AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1. Development of Contextualised Safeguarding Policies: Field Offices and Support Offices are responsible for ensuring the development, implementation and periodic review of contextualised safeguarding policies, which are to be consistent with the standards outlined in this document and in accordance with local laws (and which could consist of simply deciding to utilise this Policy as their applicable policy on safeguarding). Offices may set more strict requirements in their national Safeguarding Policy, as required by national law or context. In cases where safeguarding policies from multiple offices apply, the most stringent policy is followed.
3.2. Relevant LIA People and Affiliates: LIA equips all employees, interns, volunteers, and Board/Advisory Council members to understand and perform their safeguarding responsibilities and obligations. LIA also applies appropriate standards to external parties, including visitors, community volunteers, contractors, partners, and others affiliated with partners or contractors, to address safeguarding risks relating to their engagement with LIA’s work. Hereafter, the full range of people for whom all or some of this Policy is relevant (either directly or through contractual arrangements) will be referred to as ‘LIA employees and/or affiliates’.
3.3. Awareness: All LIA employees, volunteers, interns, and Board/Advisory Council members sign an acknowledgement that they know, understand and will follow this Safeguarding Policy or local Safeguarding Policy. Signed agreements are kept on file by the relevant office.
3.4. Agreements with Contractors: Contractors engaged in situations where they - or their employees or subcontractors—may have access to children or adult beneficiaries in LIA programmes, or may have access to personal data about such children or adult beneficiaries, require the safeguarding language below (or language substantively the same) in their contract with LIA. In addition, a copy of the Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols must be attached to the contract. These requirements apply whether the Contractor is being paid for the services, or is providing them for free (‘pro bono’), and is irrespective of the duration of the contract.
3.5. In the course of performing this contract, Contractor and Contractor’s employees will ensure that:
3.5.1. Any of their interactions with children or with adult beneficiaries, or with personal data about such persons, will comply with the attached LIA Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols, and with any other reasonable safeguarding measures that LIA may specify;
3.5.2. Any incidents of harm or risk of harm to children or to adult beneficiaries will be reported immediately to LIA;
3.5.3. Any individuals with access to children or adult beneficiaries, or to personal data about such persons, will have a current clean criminal background check for offenses against children or abuse of adults, to the extent permitted by law (evidence of which will be provided to LIA upon request); and
3.5.4. These safeguarding obligations will be clearly communicated to, and acknowledged by, all employees who may have access to children or to adult beneficiaries, or to personal data about such persons, and will be extended in identical form to any subcontractors (if any are authorised) engaged to perform this contract or programme activity. The agreement (whether referred to as an ‘agreement’, ‘subgrant’, ‘Memorandum Of Understanding’, or any other term), specifies that before the Partner begins any work on the project, the Partner’s safeguarding policy and procedures must be provided to LIA and approved by LIA as appropriate for the programme at issue. Alternatively, the Partner can agree to follow LIA’s local Safeguarding Policy in carrying out the programme activities. The agreement must ensure that any of the Partner’s personnel working in the LIA project will have a current clean criminal background check for offenses against children or abuse of adults, to the extent permitted by law (evidence of which will be provided to LIA upon request).
3.6. Training: All LIA employees, volunteers, interns, and Board/Advisory Council members, as well as partner employees or partner volunteers working within a LIA project, receive safeguarding training at the start of employment or LIA affiliation. LIA employees and volunteers receive periodic refresher or other safeguarding training at least once every two years thereafter.
3.7. Safeguarding Staffing: Every LIA Field Office, Support Office, and Regional Office appoints a Safeguarding Lead to provide leadership to the implementation of this Policy. The Lead has a mandate for direct access to the National Director, and to the LIA Safeguarding Director, should he / she feel that safeguarding issues are not being addressed adequately.
4. BEHAVIOUR PROTOCOLS
4.1. Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols: LIA employees and affiliates behave in ways that protect children and adult beneficiaries, prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, and prevent any other intentional or unintentional harm to the people LIA serves or works amongst. Rules of behaviour are based on local and culturally appropriate interactions (provided these meet or exceed the minimum protocols below) with children, members of the opposite sex, and other vulnerable adults, and are included in each contextualised Safeguarding Policy. All LIA employees and affiliates abide by these protocols in their activities with LIA, for all children anywhere and for all adult beneficiaries (see Definitions).
4.2. Acceptable Behaviour – LIA employees and affiliates:
4.2.1. create and maintain an environment which prevents sexual exploitation and abuse of children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries and promotes the implementation of these Behaviour Protocols;
4.2.2. are careful about perception and appearance in their language, actions and relationships with children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries. Their behaviour - including in person and on digital platforms, both online and offline - demonstrates a respect for children, vulnerable adults, beneficiaries and their rights;
4.2.3. ensure that all physical and online contact with children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries is appropriate in the local culture;
4.2.4. use positive, non-violent methods to manage the behaviour of children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries;
4.2.5. accept responsibility for personal behaviour and actions as a representative of the organisation;
4.2.6. are always accountable for their response to the behaviour of children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries, even if they behave in a sexually inappropriate manner; adults avoid being placed in a compromising or vulnerable position with children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries;
4.2.7. where possible and practical, follow the ‘two-adult’ rule while conducting LIA work, wherein two or more adults supervise all activities that involve children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries, and are visible and present at all times;
4.2.8. comply with safeguarding related investigations (internal and external) and make available any documentary or other information necessary for the completion of the investigation.
4.2.9. comply with applicable data privacy laws and with relevant LIA data privacy and information security policies, including LIA digital safeguarding protocols, when handling any personal data about individual children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries, noting in general that collecting or using such data must be limited to the minimum necessary, and that such data must be maintained and transferred in a secure, confidential manner;
4.2.10. immediately report through established reporting mechanisms any known or suspected safeguarding incident or breach of this Policy by a LIA employee or affiliate, or a humanitarian aid worker2 from any other agency (See Section 8.5 on how to report.).
4.3. Unacceptable Behaviour - LIA employees and affiliates do not:
4.3.1. behave in an inappropriate physical manner, or develop a sexual relationship with a child (under 18 years old), regardless of the country specific legal age of consent or age of majority. This also includes consenting or condoning the above behaviour (including facilitating or condoning child marriage (under 18 years old));
4.3.2. develop or seek a sexual relationship with any vulnerable adult or beneficiary of any age; such relationships are not acceptable and will not be tolerated since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics. Such relationships undermine the credibility and integrity of LIA's humanitarian aid and development work;
4.3.3. sexually exploit or abuse any child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary; such behaviour constitutes an act of gross misconduct;
4.3.4. exchange money, employment, goods, or services for sex (including sexual favours, other forms of humiliating, degrading, or exploitative behaviour, or hiring sex workers) or other exploitative demands is strictly prohibited. This includes exchange of assistance that is already due to beneficiaries;
4.3.5. fondle, hold, kiss, hug or touch children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries in an inappropriate or culturally insensitive way;
4.3.6. use language, make suggestions or offer advice to a child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary which is inappropriate or abusive, including language that causes shame or humiliation, or is belittling or degrading;
4.3.7. spend excessive or unnecessary time alone with a child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary, away from others or behind closed doors or in a secluded area;
4.3.8. condone or participate in behaviour with children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries which is illegal, unsafe or abusive; including harmful traditional practices, spiritual or ritualistic abuse;
4.3.9. hire children in any form of child labour (including as “house help”) unless it is within the best interest of the child and in alignment with local law and international standards (‘Child labour’ is work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children, or that interferes with their schooling. ‘Child work’ in contrast may be beneficial if permitted by International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and puts the child’s interests ahead of any benefits gained by adults3.);
4.3.10. hit or use other corporal punishment against a child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary while they are in LIA care or the LIA employee or affiliate is conducting LIA work;4
4.3.11. take a child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary alone in a vehicle for LIA work, unless it is absolutely necessary, and with parental / guardian and managerial consent;
4.3.12. misuse or be careless with personal data about individual children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries;
4.3.13. communicate with a child, vulnerable adult or beneficiary in LIA's program areas via digital platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter), via mobile technology (e.g. texting, Whatsapp, Skype), or online without consent and knowledge of his / her parents. Further, LIA employees or affiliates never communicate on mobile, digital or online platforms with children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries in ways that are inappropriate or sexual;
4.3.14. stay silent, cover up, or enable any known or suspected safeguarding incident or breach of Safeguarding Policy by a LIA employee or affiliate.
4.4. Any LIA affiliate not required to sign the full Safeguarding Policy or local Safeguarding Policy (See Section 3.3) must at minimum acknowledge in writing the receipt and understanding of these Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols.
4.5. Disciplinary Action: Failure to follow LIA Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols, failure to follow any other part of the LIA Safeguarding Policy, other inappropriate behaviour toward children, vulnerable adults or beneficiaries, or failing to report a known or suspected safeguarding incident committed by a LIA employee or affiliate, is grounds for discipline, up to and including termination of the employment or other affiliation with LIA.
5. RECRUITMENT
5.1. Screening: LIA takes diligent measures to screen out all people who might seek to use LIA to harm children or adult beneficiaries, or whose past actions indicate an unacceptable risk of such harm. These measures include addressing safeguarding in job advertisements (when feasible), applications, interviews and references. Safeguarding screening measures are applied to all candidates for employment, Board/Advisory Council members, volunteers, interns and individual contractors who will have access to children or adult beneficiaries or to their personal data. During the interview process, applicants are asked about previous work with children and vulnerable adults. For references supplied by applicants, questions are asked regarding the suitability of the candidate to work with vulnerable adults and children or for a similarly focused agency. Documentation of references is kept on file.
5.1.1. Note that major grant donors may have specific screening requirements for work they fund, so relevant grant terms and regulations should be checked.
5.2. Identity and Background Checks: Candidates for employment, Board/Advisory Council members, volunteers, and interns - as well as relevant personnel of contractors and partners - have an identification check and an appropriate criminal record / police background check, to the extent permitted by law, prior to employment or engagement with LIA, and periodically thereafter as required by law or appropriate for the context. Formal exemption approval is required for alternatives to police background checks in contexts where they are not feasible or trustworthy or lawful. People with a prior conviction for any crime against children or sexual exploitation or abuse against an adult are not hired or engaged by LIA, to the extent permitted by applicable law, and in any case will not be placed in a position with access to children or adult beneficiaries, or to their personal data.
6. VISITS TO LIA PROJECTS
6.1. Visitors: Visitors subject to this Policy include people going to a LIA field programme or meeting with a LIA beneficiary child(ren). This includes sponsors, donors, and other delegations from Support Offices such as bloggers, celebrity supporters, or journalists invited by LIA. Government officials or institutional donors (government, multilateral) based in the hosting country do NOT require Safeguarding clearance, but are accompanied by a LIA employee(s)
6.2. Visitor Orientation to Safeguarding: Each LIA entity is diligent to ensure that visitors uphold the relevant sections of this Policy. The following requirements apply to visitors who visit a project or have direct contact with community members in LIA programming areas.
6.2.1. Visitors from other LIA offices who are employees or Board Members: The hosting office provides a brief orientation to any distinctive Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols that apply in that context, as well as local customs regarding adult interaction with children.
6.2.2. Visitors who are not LIA employees or Board Members: All such visitors are briefed on LIA’s Safeguarding Behaviour Protocols (Section 4.1) and Prevention of Harm in Communications (Section 7.4) and sign acknowledgement of receipt of the protocols. The signed acknowledgement is kept on file by the hosting entity. Non-employee or Board visitors are accompanied by a LIA employee when visiting projects.
7. COMMUNICATIONS, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
7.1. Dignity: LIA takes care to ensure local traditions or restrictions for reproducing personal images are adhered to before photographing or filming a subject, and LIA ensures images are honest representations of the context and the facts. In all forms of communication, children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries are treated and portrayed with dignity and not as helpless victims or in sexually suggestive poses.
7.2. Consent: Children or adult beneficiaries who are primary subjects of text, photo and/or video resources gathered by LIA employees must provide informed consent. Informed consent means the subject has a general understanding of the purpose of the reporting or photography, and gives verbal or written permission thereof. If the primary subject is a child, written consent is also collected from the parent, guardian, or other legally required entity or individual.
7.3. In the following situations, written consent is collected from the child (as appropriate for age) or adult beneficiary:
7.3.1. a child / adult beneficiary could be personally identified or
7.3.2. the sensitive nature of their personal disclosure or situation could possibly cause damage to their privacy, dignity, safety or reputation, or
7.3.3. where otherwise required by applicable law.
7.4. Prevention of Harm in Communications: LIA is committed to storytelling that raises awareness of and promotes solutions to ending violence and abuse against children and adult beneficiaries. LIA takes the following steps to prevent harm through communications, social media and digital technology (including photographs / videos / audio clips, stories, articles, or any other communication materials):
7.4.1. Personal child and adult beneficiary information that is captured, stored or sent through electronic, on-line or mobile devices is password protected. In addition, data is handled in accordance with LIA’s current information security standards for personal data, which may include encryption and other requirements.
7.4.2. Wherever possible, measures are taken to prevent electronic copying of photographs without LIA permission (utilising digital water-marking and right-click disable functions in accordance with the LIA Partnership Minimum Standards for Internet Presence).
7.4.3. Material posted on social medial or digital technology does not contain a beneficiary’s family name or personal location/address.
7.4.4. Material with a beneficiary is not geo-tagged to precise locations if it contains any part of the child’s name. An acceptable alternative is to retag photos with the beneficiary’s first name only to the Area Programme or project office location.
7.4.5. LIA discourages direct, unfacilitated, undocumented communication through social media without LIA’s knowledge between: a sponsor / donor / visitor and beneficiary nor between employees / volunteers / other LIA affiliates and beneficiaries.
7.4.6. LIA provides reporting and response options so that sponsors, donors, visitors, beneficiaries or their caregivers can report any incident(s) where either party feels uncomfortable or threatened.
7.4.7. Sponsorship welcome kits, LIA websites, domains and social media platform profile pages contain reporting options for safeguarding concerns or incidents.
7.5. Reporting Communications, Social Media and Digital Technology Policy Violations: All violations of this policy should be reported to the national Safeguarding Lead or LIA Safeguarding Director. Responses are based on the magnitude of risk and its severity to children or adult beneficiaries.
8. SAFEGUARDING INCIDENTS AND RESPONSE PROTOCOLS
8.1. Responding to Safeguarding Incidents: LIA Entities are required to investigate and respond to reports of child or adult beneficiary abuse in LIA programmes in ways which are consistent with local law. LIA uses three levels of Safeguarding Incidents to determine LIA’s response, which is based on the seriousness of the incident and LIA’s role.
8.2. Level 1 Child Protection Community Incidents: Abuse of or harm to a child, in a community where LIA has programme operations and that is not committed by LIA employees or affiliates, is a Level 1 Incident. Field offices report Level 1 Incidents to the local LIA Safeguarding Lead in cases of serious harm that threaten the child victim’s survival, safety or development. Field Offices and Support Offices with domestic programming include in their Safeguarding Incident Preparedness Plans specific and practical guidance on responsibilities, actions and limits which are consistent with local law, for local team responses to Level 1 incidents.
8.3. Level 2 Safeguarding Incidents: Level 2 Incidents are defined as any violation of this Policy which puts children or adult beneficiaries in direct risk of potential harm, but where no actual harm is believed to have occurred. LIA Entities report Level 2 Incidents to the local LIA Safeguarding Lead within 24 hours of first notice. Response is implemented by the national entity with oversight by and accountability to the LIA Safeguarding Director.
8.4. Level 3 Safeguarding Incidents: A Level 3 Incident is an allegation or accusation of harm or abuse to a child or adult beneficiary by a LIA employee or affiliate. Two additional types of incidents qualify: death or serious injury of a beneficiary while participating in or at a LIA activity or caused directly by a LIA-related person, and/or a road traffic accident involving a LIA vehicle or driver affiliated with LIA in which a child or vulnerable adult is injured or killed. LIA Entities report actual or alleged Level 3 Incidents to the local LIA Safeguarding Lead within 24 hours of first notice. Response is implemented by the national entity with oversight by and accountability to the LIA Safeguarding Director.
8.5. Reporting: All LIA employees and affiliates are responsible and obligated to report any suspicions of child or adult beneficiary abuse (or other safeguarding concerns, including any violations of this Policy) that is connected to LIA or its programmes.
In addition, any credible concern or suspicion of sexual abuse or exploitation by a humanitarian worker outside LIA is immediately reported.
8.5.1. Reports can be made by LIA employees or affiliates in the following ways:
8.5.1.1. Contact local LIA Safeguarding Lead (who then reports to LIA Safeguarding Director)
8.5.1.2. Contact LIA Safeguarding Director
8.5.1.3. If confidentiality required / preferred, or if the above options are not available for whatever reason: Contact the Chair of the Board of Trustees
8.6. Disclosure: Whilst LIA maintains appropriate confidentiality for individuals in Safeguarding Incidents, LIA may disclose information about incidents, when lawfully permitted, in order to support prosecution of suspected criminal activity, meet donor and regulatory requirements, support learning and accountability, advocate to prevent future incidents, or as required by law.
Information in ongoing investigations of Safeguarding Incidents, and information about past incidents, is shared only with those on a ‘need-to-know’ basis, as deemed necessary by the national office or LIA Safeguarding Director. If it is likely that sensitive information about survivors or about violence against children or adults will not be kept confidential, and would put people at risk if accessed by unauthorised parties, such information is not collected.
Detailed personal information, in particular health information, is not obtained or maintained by LIA, except for the minimum necessary to ensure LIA handles the matter appropriately. Such personal data is kept strictly confidential and protected in accordance with the applicable data protection and informational security standards.
8.7. Reporting to Authorities: LIA Entities shall evaluate reporting safeguarding violations to appropriate legal authorities, assessing any legal obligations to report, as well as the interests of the survivor(s). Reports are made, unless a report is judged likely to cause greater harm to existing victims or potential future victims. Such a decision must be approved in writing by the LIA Safeguarding Director.
9. PROGRAMMING CONSIDERATIONS FOR SAFEGUARDING
9.1. Safeguarding Essentials in Programming: In all programmes of ministry, LIA seeks to do no harm to children or adult beneficiaries, to keep the interests of community members - especially vulnerable individuals - at the centre of our activities, and to utilise opportunities to help children be safer within their families and communities. This includes consideration during programme design of local safeguarding protection threats and issues, and influencing local actors and groups to be safer organisations for children and adult beneficiaries.
9.2. Community Feedback and Complaints Mechanisms: Beneficiaries, parents / carers, and other adults are aware of established complaint mechanisms in LIA projects and their right to be safe from abuse and exploitation in LIA programmes. Every community-level LIA programme provides information to parents and carers of beneficiaries on how to share general suggestions as well as report child abuse, sexual exploitation and abuse, or other breaches of Behaviour
Protocols by LIA employees or affiliates.
9.3. Institutionalisation: LIA does not support programming within long term institutions in ways that perpetuate the institutionalisation of children.
10. SAFE PARTICIPATION
10.1. Prevention of Harm in Activities: LIA works to minimise any risk of harm or negative consequence resulting from participation in activities promoted by LIA. Activities are based on context analysis with clearly identified needs and expected results, along with how the project will measure progress towards achievement while mitigating risks through risk assessments.
10.2. Ethics: Activities are designed and implemented to adhere to principles and ethics which keep the best interests of participants as the top priority.
10.3. Informed Consent in Activities: Activities are voluntary and inclusive (especially of the most vulnerable individuals), and parents/caregivers make informed decisions regarding participation, including due consideration of the benefits and risks that could be associated with the activity.
10.4. Travel: When it is in the best interests of participants, LIA sometimes helps participants travel to events, activities or other opportunities. In such cases the parents or caregivers, or other legally required entity or individual, give informed consent prior to the travel. The individual’s health, safety, well-being, and meaningful participation are the most important priorities during travel supported by LIA. LIA does not facilitate visits of children outside of their country to their sponsor.
Definitions
Beneficiary: In regards to safeguarding, LIA uses a broad, working definition of ‘beneficiary’ to include not only direct beneficiaries of a particular project, but also any child or adult who might suffer harm caused by LIA employees or affiliates as part of LIA programme presence5.
Child: Any person below the age of 18. The Safeguarding Policy covers interactions by LIA employees and affiliates with all children anywhere (not only beneficiaries).
Child protection: All measures taken to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation and all other forms of violence against children.
Contractor: LIA sometimes contracts with non-employee individuals and organisations to perform services for LIA. These non-employee individuals and organisations may also be referred to as 'independent contractors', ‘consultants,’ or ‘vendors’, and are referred to in this document as ‘Contractors’. Contractors are distinguished from organisations with which LIA partners to carry out programme activity (including subgrantees). See Partner, below.
Partner: A partner organisation, for safeguarding purposes, is a Non-Governmental Organisation, Community-Based
Organisation, for-profit enterprise, or other entity implementing a programme or activity on LIA’s behalf or in collaboration with LIA, and which has a written agreement with LIA. The partner may or may not receive funding from LIA.
Safeguarding: Preventing, reporting, and responding to harm or abuse of adult beneficiaries and any children by LIA employees and affiliates. Externally to LIA, there is often no distinction made between child and adult safeguarding.
Child safeguarding: Preventing, reporting, and responding to harm6, abuse or exploitation of any child (< age 18) by a LIA employee or affiliate7. The Safeguarding Policy also requires reporting / referring child abuse cases affecting any child in LIA programmes, even if not committed by LIA employees or affiliates.
Adult safeguarding: Preventing, reporting, and responding to harm, abuse or exploitation of an adult beneficiary (age 18+) by a LIA employee or affiliate8. Includes Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), a frequently cited subset of safeguarding.
Safeguarding incident: See Section 8.1.
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA): The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.9
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA): A term used by the United Nations and International Non-Governmental Organisation community to refer to measures taken to protect vulnerable people from sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian aid workers.
Volunteer: A person who is neither employed by LIA nor legally obliged to work for LIA, but who on free will and without expectation of payment or other remuneration, contributes their time, skill, knowledge, efforts and expertise to LIA’s work. ‘Volunteer’ includes a ‘business volunteer’ in a LIA office or affiliate; a ‘supporter volunteer’ without physical contact with sponsored children or their records; ‘community volunteer’ who volunteers on behalf of their community to fulfil the community’s responsibilities in an ongoing LIA project; and volunteers or ‘incentive workers’ from groups or communities targeted for humanitarian assistance. All categories of volunteers are subject to applicable Safeguarding Policy, except community volunteers for whom the following apply:
• The community volunteer does not have physical contact with sponsored children or their records as part of their volunteer activities; AND
• Beyond basic training, LIA does not specify how to complete the relevant activities; AND
• The community does not perceive or consider this person as ‘part of LIA’s work’ due to their volunteer activities, and if they were to harm a child or adult, would not be expected to hold LIA responsible.
LIA employees and affiliates: Refers to the full range of people accountable to LIA’s Safeguarding policies and protocols, including all employees, interns, volunteers, and Board/Advisory Council members, as well as external parties, including visitors, community volunteers, contractors, partners, and others affiliated with partners or contractors.
This policy has been adapted from the World Vision International Safeguarding Policy 2018 with grateful thanks.
1Convention on the Rights of the Child, General Comment 14: http://www2.ohchr.org/English/bodies/crc/docs/GC/CRC_C_GC_14_ENG.pdf
2“Humanitarian aid worker” includes all paid employees, volunteers, contractors, and other affiliates of organisations providing emergency relief or development aid. Such organisations include UN agencies, INGOs, LNGOs, and CBOs.
3See ILO Conventions 182 and 138 and consult local legal counsel to determine appropriate parameters of ‘child work’ in your LIA country office; include these details in your contextualised policy.
4All LIA employees are familiar with alternatives to corporal punishment, including positive parenting approaches, which they are expected to apply with children inside and outside of the workplace or LIA programme areas.
5LIA’s definition recognises the unequal power relationship between a representative of an NGO and vulnerable communities.
6Includes injury or death of anyone while participating in a LIA activity or when involved in a road traffic accident with a LIA driver or LIA vehicle.
7Includes LIA employees, volunteers, interns, Board members, visitors, contractors, or partners - as well as employees or sub-contractors of partners and contractors.
8Ibid.
9UN Secretary-General’s Bulletin on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) (ST/SGB/2003/13)
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Registered Charity in England & Wales No. 1148630